What can happen if the blood pressure cuff is too big or loose?

Using a blood pressure cuff that is too big or loose can lead to inaccurate readings because the cuff may not exert enough pressure on the arm to properly occlude the brachial artery. When the cuff is too large, it does not fit snugly against the arm, which can cause the pressure readings to be lower than the actual blood pressure. This misalignment in pressure could result in falsely low systolic and diastolic readings. Accurate blood pressure measurements are crucial for diagnosing and managing health conditions, so it's essential to ensure that the cuff fits properly to obtain a precise measurement.

While being comfortable for the patient is a positive aspect of a cuff, that comfort does not necessarily translate to an accurate measurement if the sizing is incorrect. Additionally, a larger cuff does not provide an accurate reading, nor does it create hypertensive readings; the accuracy of the readings is the primary concern. Thus, the emphasis is placed on the importance of proper cuff size and fit in relation to obtaining reliable blood pressure readings.