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A recent meta-analysis showed that a between-arm systolic blood pressure (SBP) difference of ≥15 mm Hg is associated with peripheral vascular disease and increased cardiovascular (CV) and all-cause mortality (JW Gen Med Feb 9 2012). Included in the meta-analysis were the results of a prospective study involving 230 primary care patients with hypertension. Here's a closer look at that study.
After sitting for 5 minutes, patients had BP taken in one arm, then in the other. Bilateral arm BP readings were recorded at three successive clinic visits, and the readings were averaged. At enrollment, 55 patients (24%) had a mean between-arm SBP difference of ≥10 mm Hg and 21 (9%) had a difference of ≥15 mm Hg. After a median follow-up of 9.8 years, ad…