Blood pressure cuff size

Blood pressure readings are systematically inaccurate when the cuff size does not match the patient's arm. Cuffs that are too small over-estimate blood pressure by 10-50 mmHg. The American Heart Association specifies three adult cuff sizes (small adult, adult, large adult) plus thigh cuffs for very large arms.

Black adults are more likely than white adults to have arm circumferences requiring the large-adult or thigh cuff. Clinic default-cuff use without arm measurement is a documented source of mis-diagnosed hypertension. If a clinician puts a cuff on you that visibly does not fit, ask for the larger size. See hypertension.