It might be best to take your blood pressure in both arms. According to a study published in Clin Exp Hypertens 2016, a large difference in the systolic blood pressure between arms might be a sign of cardiovascular disease.
Mild differences are not uncommon and should not cause worry. But if the difference in systolic pressure is greater than 10 mm HG, this could mean an artery in that arm has narrowed, possibly from artherosclerosis. And that could mean that blood flow is impeded to vital organs like the heart or brain.
The study analyzed data from seven other studies.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
