Emily Chan
The effect was consistent across age, weight, and blood pressure levels. It was even more pronounced in people already dealing with high blood pressure.
Among those with hypertension, having the arm at the side led to an overestimation of nine points in systolic blood pressure.
The findings highlight how crucial it is for blood pressure to be measured properly. The number needs to be accurate in order to make the right medical decisions so individuals can take better care of their health. A misdiagnosis of hypertension could result in overtreatment and unnecessary follow-up appointments.
According to the researchers, there are multiple reasons why arm position affects blood pressure readings.
When your arm is resting on your lap or hanging at your side, it drops below your heart level. This causes gravity to increase the pressure in your arteries.
In addition, muscle tension or changes in blood flow could occur, which might give your blood pressure a temporary boost.
The researchers suggest that healthcare systems focus on utilizing the correct techniques to maintain the quality of blood pressure readings.
Implementing regulated, standardized techniques should also be seriously considered. So, before checking your blood pressure, make sure you are resting your arm on a table or desk.
The study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
