THE BRACHIAL TO DIGITAL BLOOD PRESSURE GRADIENT IN NORMAL SUBJECTS AND IN PATIENTS WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Abstract

The brachial and digital blood pressures were estimated by auscultatory techniques in 10 patients with essential hypertension and in a group of 6 subjects with normal blood pressure who were in a state of regulated peripheral vasoconstriction and again when they were in a state of regulated vasodilatation. The brachial to digital systolic and diastolic pressure gradients in both control subjects and hypertensive patients were greater when the individuals were heated than when they were cooled. The brachial to digital diastolic pressure gradient in the hypertensive patients was not significantly different from that in the subjects with normal blood pressure. However, the systolic pressure gradient was greater in the hypertensive patients than in the control group both when the individuals were heated and when they were cooled.