Hill's sign

System: Heart & Circulation Signs · All heart & circulation signs

What it is — and how it is elicited

The systolic blood pressure measured in the leg exceeds that in the arm by an abnormally large amount (more than about 20 mmHg).

What a positive finding suggests

Associated with significant aortic regurgitation; the larger the difference, the more severe the leak tends to be.

◈ Behind the name

Sir Leonard Erskine Hill (1866–1952), British physiologist.

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Please note: This page is an educational reference about clinical examination signs. A clinical sign supports — and never replaces — a full clinical evaluation, examination and appropriate testing. A sign being present does not by itself prove a diagnosis, and an absent sign does not rule one out. If you have symptoms that worry you, see a health professional.