Where is my main artery in my arm?

The brachial artery is the major blood vessel supplying blood to your upper arm, elbow, forearm and hand. It starts in your upper arm, just below your shoulder, and runs down through the crease in front of your elbow. It separates into several branches along its route.

How do you identify an artery and a vein?

Veins are closer to the surface of your body, and arteries are deep inside your muscles. The walls of a vein are thinner than an artery. Veins carry blood from your organs and towards your heart. Arteries carry blood away from your heart.

Where are the arteries in your forearm?

The radial artery runs on the inside of the forearm from the elbow to the thumb. The artery lies just under the surface of the skin. You may be able to see the blue or purple vein inside your wrist where the artery brings blood to the thumb.

Which arm is closer to the heart?

Your left arm is closer to your heart than your right arm, meaning that results can differ – deviations of up to 10 mmHg are common! When taking your blood pressure, we recommend you consult a doctor if there are discrepancies in excess of 10 mmHg.

What does artery pain feel like?

What are the symptoms of vascular pain? Symptoms include lack of circulation, pain, or heaviness in the area affected by vascular disease or injury. There also may be numbness, weakness, or a tingling feeling in the affected area.

What happens if you draw blood from an artery instead of a vein?

The primary reason for taking blood from an artery rather than a vein is to measure blood gases. Because arterial blood is oxygenated blood flowing directly from the heart, analysis of arterial blood can determine the chemistry of the blood before it is used by the tissues.

Which arm is it better to take the blood pressure on?

(It’s best to take your blood pressure from your left arm if you are right-handed. However, you can use the other arm if you have been told to do so by your healthcare provider.) Rest in a chair next to a table for 5 to 10 minutes. (Your left arm should rest comfortably at heart level.)

Why are my veins hurting in my arm?

Superficial thrombophlebitis is an inflammation of a vein just below the surface of the skin, which results from a blood clot. This condition may occur after recently using an IV line, or after trauma to the vein. Some symptoms can include pain and tenderness along the vein and hardening and feeling cord-like.

Do you put an IV in a vein or artery?

A healthcare provider, usually a nurse, will locate a vein for the IV site and insert a cannula, a device that moves substances into the bloodstream. IVs are always placed in veins, not arteries, allowing the medication to move through the bloodstream to the heart.