Does Size Matter? The Surprising Impact of Cuff Size on Blood Pressure Readings

Authors:
Vincent Lam, PharmD
Kathleen Pincus, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, CDCES

Reviewers:
Sarah L. Anderson, PharmD, BCACP, BCPS
Madison Yates, PharmD, BCACP, CPP

Citation:
Ishigami J, Charleston J, Miller ER 3rd, Matsushita K, Appel LJ, Brady TM. Effects of Cuff Size on the Accuracy of Blood Pressure Readings: The Cuff(SZ) Randomized Crossover Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2023;183(10):1061-1068

The Problem

Does size matter? Or, more specifically, does blood pressure (BP) cuff size matter? Most clinical settings now use oscillometric BP devices to measure patients’ BP, and over half of people with hypertension (HTN) use a home BP monitor with an arm cuff.¹ But, can we trust these BP readings if an inappropriate cuff size is used? How will this impact the way we assess BP control?