Air date: February 19, 2012

Host: Jeremy Shere, PhD

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Primary Care segments are presented
by IU Health Physicians.

Did you Know? is presented by Wishard Health Services, becoming Eskenazi Health in 2014.

Checking your blood pressure is a good way to monitor heart health. But did you know that it may be even better to take blood pressure readings from both arms?

That’s because a discrepancy in readings taken from the left and right arms could be a sign of blood vessel and heart disease.

According to a recent study by British researchers, a difference of more than 15 points in readings taken from both arms may double the risk of a narrowing or blockage of the arteries.

A 15-point difference in systolic readings -- the number on top -- increased by 60% the risk for cerebrovascular disease -- an illness associated with cognitive problems and an increased likelihood of stroke.

Taking blood pressure readings from both arms is common in Europe, but not in the United States. Putting the cuff on both arms could help alert doctors and patients to heart problems down the road.

And now you know.

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Did you Know is presented by Wishard Health Services, becoming Eskenazi Health in 2014.

Additional Resources:

• Read more about the importance of taking blood pressure in both arms. From WebMD.