The Ergonomics of Blood Pressure Measurment

Uwe Reischl, Conrad Colby

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The most commonly used method to measure blood pressure in adults is middle upper arm sphygmomanomtery. However, different cuff-sizes can result in different pressure readings. Pressure readings will be higher for larger arm circumferences and lower for smaller arm circumferences when the same cuff is used. The goal of this study was to determine an adjustment factor that will allow measurements obtained for any combination of arm circumference and cuff size to be compared to each other. The results of this study showed that the percentage (%) value of upper arm circumference coverge by the cuff can serve as such an adjustment factor. Data obtained from nineteen test subjects showed that a 1% change in upper arm coverage results in a 1 mmHg change in both systolic and diastolic pressure readings. Using the proposed % adjustment factor allows a patient’s blood pressure to be compared to blood pressure values obtained using any combination of cuff bladder size and arm circumference. This will also allow pressure readings to be matched to the American Heart Association’s recommended upper arm coverage of 80%.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 9th International Ergonomics Conference - ERGONOMICS 2022
EditorsIvana Salopek Čubrić, Goran Čubrić, Kristian Jambrošić, Tanja Jurčević Lulić, Davor Sumpor
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages277-284
Number of pages8
ISBN (Print)9783031339851
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023
EventProceedings of the 9th International Ergonomics Conference, ERGONOMICS 2022 - Zagreb, Croatia
Duration: 7 Dec 202210 Dec 2022

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Networks and Systems
Volume701 LNNS
ISSN (Print)2367-3370
ISSN (Electronic)2367-3389

Conference

ConferenceProceedings of the 9th International Ergonomics Conference, ERGONOMICS 2022
Country/TerritoryCroatia
CityZagreb
Period7/12/2210/12/22

Keywords

  • Adjustment Factor
  • Cuff Size
  • Sphygmomanometer
  • Upper Arm Circumference

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Ergonomics of Blood Pressure Measurment'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this