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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial-Dependent Flow-Mediated Vasodilation of the Brachial Artery in Clinical Research
Published on: October 22, 2014
Brachial or wrist blood pressure in obese patients: which is the best?
Olivier de Senarclens1, François Feihl, Vittorio Giusti
1Division of Clinical Pathophysiology, University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Objective:
Blood pressure (BP) measured in obese patients with a large arm circumference using a cuff of standard width may be overestimated.
Methods:
We compared in this study the BP readings obtained with oscillometric devices at the left arm (OMRON HEM 705-CP) and the left wrist (OMRON R6) (Omron Medizintechnik, Mannheim, Germany) in lean (n=15) and obese (n=11) patients.
Results:
No difference was found in diastolic BP between the two groups, nor between the arm and the wrist. Systolic BP measured at the arm was, however, significantly lower in obese (99+/-9 mmHg, mean+/-SD) than in lean (107+/-14 mmHg; P<0.001) patients, whereas systolic BP determined at the wrist averaged 106 mmHg in both groups.
Conclusion:
The use of validated wrist BP measuring devices appears therefore particularly appealing in obese individuals with a large arm circumference.
Related Concept Videos
Sites for measuring blood pressure
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure
Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)
Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(one-step method)
Prepare for the Procedure:
Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
Measurement of Blood Pressure

