Blood pressure machines should not hurt

Elizabeth Ko, M.D.
Elizabeth Ko, M.D.

Dear Doctors: Blood pressure machines at doctors’ offices often cause me extreme pain. During a recent surgery, the repeated readings left me with bruises and caused burst capillaries. Often, my arm isn’t even supported. What can I ask them to do differently?

Dear Reader: A blood pressure reading is meant to be a diagnostic tool, not a test of endurance. Many people do find the pressure in the cuff…