Prevalence of cuff hypertension among overweight and obese subjects

Abstract

Background: “Obesity is a lifestyle affliction, it is a side effect of poor habit and it can be reversed.” Obesity is defined either by increased waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and/or body mass index. Overestimation of blood pressure (BP) using an inappropriately small cuff is well documented. Using a BP cuff small for midarm circumference (AC) in obese patient’s results in higher BP readings. Therefore, it was felt that there is a requirement to study the effect of different cuff sizes for different arm circumferences in obese individuals. The purpose of this study is to determine if cuff hypertension (HTN) is present in obese subjects. Aims and Objective: To determine the presence of cuff HTN in obese subjects. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 obese and 200 non-obese subjects between 20 and 50 years of age reporting to OHRC were included in the study. Systolic and diastolic BP were measured using a mercury sphygmomanometer with two cuff sizes, i.e., standard cuff 12 cm width (for MAC 32 cm). Results: A total of 56 subjects were diagnosed as systolic HTN with standard cuff, i.e., 28% but with large cuff, it was only 24 subjects, i.e., 12% only, a difference of 16% between the prevalence of systolic HTN. Diastolic HTN diagnosed with standard cuff was 20% compared to large cuff 7.5%, a difference of 12.5%. The above differences are demonstrating “cuff HTN” in the obese subjects. Conclusion: In this study of 200 obese and 200 non-obese subjects, it was found that “cuff HTN” is present in obese subjects.