Systolic pressure this is the pressure of the blood when your heart pushes it out. When the blood pressure bp is measured the arm should be at the level of the heart.
Blood Pressure Measurement Osce Guide
Blood pressure measurement body position. Below its true value. Your blood pressure range is measured in millimetres of mercury mmhg and is recorded as systolic and diastolic figures. We performed a cross sectional study to compare bp values obtained in supine sitting and fowlers positions in essential hypertensive subjects. The aim of our study was to test the influence of body and arm position on bp measurement in diabetic patients. How you prepare for the test the position of your arm and other factors can change a blood pressure reading by 10 or more. 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.
If youre curious in which position sitting lying down or standing blood pressure is normally the highest its likely standing. Optimizing observer performance of clinic blood pressure measurement. If the arm is allowed to hang down straight the bp may be falsely diminished by as much as 12 mm hg. 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. That could be enough to hide high blood pressure start you on a drug you dont really need or lead your doctor to incorrectly adjust your medications. A position statement from the lancet commission on hypertension group padwal et al.
So the blood pressure value that exists in most guidelines for example jnc 8 is measured in the sitting position. Tips to measure your blood pressure correctly. To determine whether you have hypertension a medical professional will take a blood pressure reading. High blood pressure bp is a highly prevalent modifiable cause of cardiovascular disease stroke and death. Diastolic pressure this is the pressure of the blood when your heart is resting between beats. World health organization who guidelines recommend that the blood pressure bp should be routinely measured in sitting or supine followed by standing position providing that the arm of the patient is placed at the level of the right atrium in each position.
Although blood pressure bp differences from supine to sitting position have long been recognized limited data are available on other commonly used body positions. 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. But even if your numbers are high your doctor may encourage you to come in and retake your blood pressure in a few weeks or measure it every day at home to verify that its true hypertension and not the result of some other issue affecting you.
Gallery of Blood Pressure Measurement Body Position
