Abstract
Background: Hypertension is one of the major preventable causes of premature morbidity and mortality worldwide. Measurement of blood pressure (BP) is the most common investigation performed in primary care setting to manage the vast majority of hypertensive patients. BP measurement guidelines recommend that BP should be assessed in both arms at the initial visit to prevent misdiagnosis of hypertension. The interarm difference (IAD) in BP has received increasing attention in recent years because a difference of >10 mm of Hg has been found to be a potential marker of peripheral vascular disease and predictor of cardiovascular disease.

Aim and Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and magnitude of IAD in healthy adults.

Materials and Methods: A total of 200 normal healthy adults were recruited for the study. BP was assessed by automatic blood pressure monitor after 5 min rest.

Results: In this study, prevalences of the IAD were found to be 19.0% for systolic > or =10 mmHg, 4.5% for systolic > or =20 mmHg, and 6.0% for diastolic >or =10 mmHg.

Conclusion: IAD exists in a substantial number of healthy adults. A difference of >10 mm of Hg systolic or diastolic BP should be investigated further as it is found to have a prognostic value for predicting cardiovascular events. Hence, we conclude that IAD is a simple, noninvasive and sensitive method of detecting individuals prone for cardiovascular morbidities.

Key words: Interarm Difference; Hypertension; Cardiovascular Morbidity