The effect of clothes on sphygmomanometric blood pressure measurement in hypertensive patients

Aims. To test whether there is any difference between blood pressure readings with patients wearing clothes under the manometer’s cuff and not wearing clothes. Background. The few studies published on this subject have shown that blood pressure measurements give similar results whether the patients’ arm is covered by clothing or not. However, it has not been clarified whether this is also true in hypertensive patients. Method. Blood pressure was measured on non‐sleeved arm, sleeved arm and again on non‐sleeved arm in 258 hypertensive patients using a mercury‐filled column sphygmomanometer. Three nurses who were experienced and specially trained for the study performed blood pressure measurements. They were unaware of the purpose of the research. Results. Measuring blood pressure with the manometer’s cuff over participant’s sleeved arm did not differ significantly from non‐sleeved arm measurements. Relevance to clinical practice. Sleeves have no effect on blood pressure results. Blood pressure readings taken over the sleeves will be much more practical and time saving in busy departments like emergency rooms, during disasters like earthquake where decisions have to make in minutes. Additionally, it will be time saving for general health screening surveys. Finally, it may have preferable because of hygiene concerns, patient privacy and religious beliefs.