Why Cant My Blood Pressure Be Measured?

In our daily lives, we may encounter situations where our blood pressure cannot be measured. Many people panic and worry that they may be suffering from a serious illness. Once this occurs, it is important to take it seriously and actively seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause. This could be related to a damaged blood pressure measurement device, blocked neck vessels, arrhythmia, or a significant loss of blood in a short period of time, all of which can affect blood pressure measurements.

1. The inability to measure blood pressure may be related to blocked neck vessels. Since blood pressure is measured by assessing the lateral pressure of blood within the upper arm artery against the vessel wall, if the blood vessels near the measurement site are blocked, the blood volume within the vessel will decrease significantly, making it difficult to detect the pulse in that limb and unable to obtain a normal blood pressure measurement.

2. The inability to measure blood pressure may also be related to atrial fibrillation or arrhythmia. The irregular heartbeat can lead to errors in blood pressure measurements, especially when using an automatic blood pressure monitor, and in some cases, may result in an inability to obtain a measurement.

3. Significant blood loss or vasovagal syncope can cause a significant drop in blood pressure to the point where it cannot be measured. Failure to promptly intervene can lead to shock or even sudden death.

4. The inability to measure blood pressure may also be due to incorrect placement of the measuring device. For example, if the pulsation point is covered or the position is incorrect when measuring the pulse of a large artery, it may result in an inability to obtain a blood pressure measurement.