Doug asked:
When I went to the doctors my blood pressure was 144/102 in the left arm. They then checked it in my right arm and it was 114/80. My doctor blew it off. Is this something that I should be concerned of?
When I went to the doctors my blood pressure was 144/102 in the left arm. They then checked it in my right arm and it was 114/80. My doctor blew it off. Is this something that I should be concerned of?
Generally, differences in the blood pressure between the two arms are random, and average to zero with enough readings.
In some cases, however it can be a sign of obstructive arterial disease.
Your doctor examined you; I didn’t. No one can diagnose over the internet. If you have doubts or questions, you are free (and I encourage you) to seek a second opinion.
This differential BP in upper limb can suggest conditions like Coarctation Of Aorta. Here are guidelines to assess:
An acceptable inter-arm systolic blood pressure difference is 10mmHg. The difference in your case seems to exceed that.
Before delving into the causes of this condition, have a doctor examine your blood pressure. Note that you should be rested for 5 minutes before the reading and that you should use an appropriate sized cuff.
If a doctor does indeed conclude the blood pressure difference is high (he may need to confirm this with a doppler), an underlying condition should be sought. Congenital conditions in the differential diagnosis include aortic coarctation and thinning of one of the subclavian, axillary, or brachial arteries. Acquired arterial conditions include aortic dissection, atheroma, thrombus, embolus, and extrinsic compression (as might be seen in association with a mass in the upper chest).
In this case you should have a contrast-enhanced CT of the chest to effectively delineate among the possibilities mentioned above. A vascular ultrasound would be helpful as well, but the CT would better show an extrinsic compression.