How much of the distance between the elbow to the shoulder should a blood pressure cuff cover?

The recommended practice is that a blood pressure cuff should cover approximately two-thirds of the distance from the elbow to the shoulder. This ensures that the cuff can adequately compress the brachial artery, which is typically located within that range, allowing for an accurate measurement of blood pressure. When the cuff covers the appropriate amount of this distance, it creates the optimal balance between comfort and functionality, ensuring reliable results.

Using a cuff that is too short may not adequately compress the artery, leading to falsely low readings, while a cuff that is too long might result in discomfort without significantly altering the measurements. The two-thirds coverage also considers the anatomy of the upper arm and provides effective occlusion of blood flow, which is essential for obtaining proper blood pressure readings.