PharmaSmart blood pressure kiosks are designed to measure from the left arm. The design criteria of a public use kiosk necessitate a single arm option. Unfortunately, some patients (due to stents or other medical reasons) are unable to take blood pressure readings from their left arm.
Studies show that blood pressure can vary between the left and right arm and some clinical guidelines recommend taking readings from both arms and using the higher of the two as the BP determination. This determination is time consuming, and difficult to perform accurately. As a result most clinicians in daily practice measure blood pressure from a single arm – most often the left.
If for medical reasons you are unable to measure blood pressure from your left arm, or if your doctor determines that your blood pressure should be measured exclusively from your right arm, please consult with your doctor about the best measurement option for you.