In what situations can blood pressure not be measured?
Nov 13, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Xin
Introduction
In general, blood pressure may not be measurable due to inaccurate measurement techniques, faulty sphygmomanometers, emotional stress, vascular damage, or shock. Additionally, conditions such as atherosclerotic occlusive disease or heart disease may also make it difficult to obtain a reading. Patients are advised to seek timely medical attention if they experience any discomfort and to undergo standardized treatment under the guidance of a physician, which can help promote recovery.
In general, blood pressure may not be measurable under conditions such as incorrect measurement techniques, damaged sphygmomanometers, emotional tension, vascular injury, or shock. The specific reasons are as follows:
1. Incorrect measurement technique
When using an instrument to measure blood pressure, it is essential to follow the correct procedure. If the cuff is wrapped too loosely or too tightly, or if the stethoscope is improperly positioned, the measurement result may be inaccurate, leading to an inability to obtain a blood pressure reading.
2. Damaged sphygmomanometer
The sphygmomanometer itself may be faulty—for example, mercury leakage in mercury-column devices, cuff damage, air leaks, or expiration of the device's service life—all of which can lead to inaccurate readings or failure to measure blood pressure.
3. Emotional tension
Some individuals may feel anxious during blood pressure measurement, which can cause their blood pressure to rise abnormally or make it difficult to obtain a reading. In such cases, the patient should relax and repeat the measurement.
4. Vascular injury
Blood pressure refers to the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels. If a patient has vascular damage—especially to major vessels such as the aorta or subclavian artery—significant blood loss may occur, making it impossible to measure blood pressure.
5. Shock
Shock refers to a state of systemic circulatory failure with unstable vital signs. In shock, the heart is unable to maintain adequate cardiac output, resulting in severely low blood pressure, often dropping to levels that cannot be detected.
In addition, conditions such as arteriosclerosis obliterans or heart disease may also lead to unmeasurable blood pressure. Patients experiencing such symptoms should seek timely medical attention and receive standardized treatment under a physician’s guidance, which can aid in recovery.
