EVIDENCE OF RISE IN BLOOD-PRESSURE DUE TO INFLATING THE CUFF - EFFECTS ON SELF-RECORDED BLOOD-PRESSURE

We studied in 50 men (each group 10 nontreated and treated normotensives and hypertensives and heart transplants) the influence on blood pressure of the muscle activity needed to self inflate a cuff. A significant rise in blood pressure was found in all 5 groups: for systolic values 18 to 25 mmHg, for diastolic values 13 to 16 mmHg. The duration of the transient rise in blood pressure was 13 to 15 seconds. Self-recorded systolic blood pressure may be measured as too high when patients inflate their cuff at too low pressure and/or deflate it too fast, an automatic device with a pump could be used to eliminate the effects of manuel cuff inflation.