Mean mid-arm circumference and blood pressure cuff sizes for US children, adolescents and adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011–2016

Details

• Alternative Title:
  Blood Press Monit
• Personal Author:
  Ostchega, Yechiam ; Hughes, Jeffery P. ; Nwankwo, Tatiana ; Zhang, Guangyu
• Description:
  Background
  
  Measuring blood pressure (BP) requires an appropriate BP cuff size given measured mid-arm circumference (mid-AC).
  
  Objective
  
  To provide mid-AC means and percentiles for US population aged more than 3 years and examine the frequency distribution of mid-AC cuffed by Baum and Welch Allyn cuff systems.
  
  Patients and methods
  
  The 2011–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a cross-sectional survey, was used to estimate mean mid-AC (n = 24 723).
  
  Results
  
  Mean mid-AC did not differ from 2011 to 2016(31.0 vs. 31.3 cm, P > 0.05). During 2011–2016, mean mid-AC was greater for males than females (32.0 vs.30.4 cm, P < 0.001) and was largest among adults40–49 years (34.0 cm). Non-Hispanic Black persons had the largest mean mid-AC (32.0 cm) and non-Hispanic Asian persons the smallest (28.4 cm). Increased BMI was associated with increased mean mid-AC for those 3–19 years (normal, 22.0 cm and obese, 31.5 cm, P < 0.001) and more than 20 years (normal, 28.2 cm and obese, 37.8 cm, P < 0.001). Among those aged 8–17 years, high BP status was associated with a larger mean mid-AC (normotensive 26.1 cm vs. high BP 28.2 cm, P = 0.001). Among adults aged 18 years and older, hypertension status was associated with a larger mean mid-AC (normotensive32.4 cm vs. hypertensive 34.2 cm, P < 0.001). Among those aged 12–19 years, 13.0% required a Baum large cuff (35–46.9 cm mid-AC) and 21.7% required a Welch Allyn large cuff (32–39.9 cm mid-AC). Among those aged more than 20 years, 33.2% required a Baum large cuff, 48.2% required a Welch Allyn large cuff, 1.3% required a Baum extra-large cuff (44–66 cm mid-AC), and 9.5% required a Welch Allyn extra-large cuff (40–55 cm mid-AC).
  
  Conclusion
  
  Currently, BP is obtained in clinic, pharmacy, home, and ambulatory setting using single or multiple cuffs. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey mid-AC data should be considered for accurate cuffing avoiding cuff hypertension or hypotension.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Adolescent Adult Arm Article Blood Pressure Blood Pressure Monitors Body Mass Index Child Child, Preschool Female Humans Hypertension Male Obesity

  More +
• Source:
  Blood Press Monit. 23(6):305-311
• Pubmed ID:
  30204600
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC7428080
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHS/United States
• Name as Subject:
  National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (U.S.)
• Place as Subject:
  United States
• Volume:
  23
• Issue:
  6
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:4f064ef5bd601ad845d05cae4d7dc9e5686caa6fc2eac3ca0cfa9d93318039d6
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/92141/cdc_92141_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 298.25 KB ]