Have your blood pressure measured twice with a brief break in between. However in most people posture is unlikely to lead to significant error in blood pressure measurement provided the arm is supported at heart level.
Experts Call For Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Harvard Health
Correct body position for blood pressure measurement. The arm being used should be relaxed uncovered and supported at the level of the heart. In other words in the sitting and standing positions the arm should be extended out straight and should be about 2 3 inches below the shoulder to approximate the level of the heart. Systolic pressure is approximately 88 mmhg in the lying down position versus the sitting position but only when the person taking the measurement positions the patients arm so that it is at the. We conclude that during bp measurement the arm should be placed at the right atrial level regardless of the body position. The inflatable part of the cuff should completely cover at least 80 of your upper arm and the cuff should be placed on bare skin not over a shirt. The arm should be fully supported on a flat surface at heart level.
So the blood pressure value that exists in most guidelines for example jnc 8 is measured in the sitting position. Dont talk during the measurement. If the arms position varies or is not level with the heart measurement values obtained will not be consistent with the patients true blood pressure. In general blood pressure should be measured while you are seated comfortably. Posture affects blood pressure with a general tendency for it to increase from the lying to the sitting or standing position. To get an accurate read on your blood pressure sitting in a comfortable position with your feet on the ground after resting is the best option says suzanne steinbaum do a preventive cardiologist in new york city co author of lower your blood pressure naturally and a spokesperson for the american heart association.
Hence the value we are intenting to measure is the one with the patient is sitting position back supported legs uncrossed and upper arm bared. When the blood pressure bp is measured the arm should be at the level of the heart. When seated the patient should have his or her back and arm supported and legs should be uncrossed. In addition incorrect positioning of the arm in standing position results in an underestimation of prevalence of orthostatic hypotension. Proper positioning is vital in obtaining accurate blood pressure readings. The researchers measured each patients blood pressure a total of six times testing two arm positions with the lower arm jutting out at a right angle to the body as if they were pointing forward or simply parallel to the upper body while they were sitting standing and lying down.
Gallery of Correct Body Position For Blood Pressure Measurement
