The changing distribution of arm circumferences in NHANES III and NHANES 2000 and its impact on the utility of the 'standard adult' blood pressure cuff

John W. Graves, Kent R. Bailey, Sheldon G. Sheps

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Accurate blood pressure measurement is dependent on using a blood pressure cuff that is appropriate to the patient's arm circumference. Objective: This study identifies the change in distribution of arm circumferences in the United States and its impact on usage of the 'standard adult' cuff. Method: The most current National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) data, available on the website (http://www.cdc.gov/ nchswww/nchshome.htm), covers NHANES III (Cycle 1, 1988-1991; 8381 subjects and Cycle 2, 1991-1994; 8566 subjects) and NHANES 2000 (1999-2000; 4,444 subjects). The weighted change in arm circumference between NHANES III as a whole and NHANES 2000 was calculated. Correlates for increased arm circumference were obtained via multivariate analysis. The predicted change in blood pressure cuff usage based on the changing prevalence of arm circumferences was calculated. Results: The mean arm circumference for the whole population increased significantly from NHANES III to NHANES 2000 (31.83 ± 0.08 cm versus 32.86 ± 0.15 cm, p < 0.001) and in the hypertension population without reaching statistical significance (33.07 ± 0.16 to 33.61 ± 0.30 cm, p = 0.11). When adjusted regressions were performed, the increases in arm circumference were due to increasing weight in both the whole population and the hypertensives. The numbers of Americans predicted to require the 'standard adult' cuff to accurately measure blood pressure decreased from 76.2% to 66.3% while the number of Americans increased from 42.2% to 45%. Conclusions: The increasing prevalence of overweight and obese Americans found in NHANES III and NHANES 2000 has led to larger mean arm circumferences in hypertensives and the total population. This increased frequency of larger arm circumferences predicts that the 'large adult' cuff will be increasingly required in clinician's offices for accurate blood pressure measurement.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)223-227
Number of pages5
JournalBlood Pressure Monitoring
Volume8
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2003

Keywords

  • Accurate blood pressure measurement
  • Arm circumference
  • Blood pressure cuff

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Assessment and Diagnosis
  • Advanced and Specialized Nursing

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