Posted on 11/09/2023 8:43:50 PM PST by ConservativeMind
Measuring blood pressure while patients are standing rather than sitting may improve the accuracy of readings, researchers report. Their findings could lead to significant improvements in early detection of high blood pressure in healthy adults.
UTSW researchers measured the blood pressure of 125 healthy patients ages 18-80 with no history of hypertension, previous use of blood pressure medication, or other comorbidities.
The statistical analysis used to assess the overall accuracy of each test in diagnosing hypertension revealed that measuring standing blood pressure either on its own or in addition to sitting blood pressure significantly improved diagnostic accuracy. Researchers used several established guidelines for defining hypertension, including those of the American Heart Association.
Blood pressure was measured in three ways: through 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), seated in the doctor's office, and standing in the office. The sensitivity (accuracy in detecting a condition, or a "positive" result) and specificity (accuracy in detecting absence of a condition, or a "negative" result) for detecting hypertension in the seated measurements were 43% and 92%, while the sensitivity and specificity in the standing measurements were 71% and 67%.
Based on average 24-hour ABPM measurements, researchers found that 33.6% of participants had hypertension. Of those with hypertension, the average age was 55.7 years old and 57% were female adults, 55% were white adults, 29% were Black adults, 16% were Asian adults, and 16% were of Hispanic/Latino ethnicity. Of the participants without hypertension, the only significant difference in demographics observed was younger age (45.3 years old).
Data from the UTSW Dallas Heart Study was used to determine blood pressure levels in the office, home, and 24-hour ABPM that are optimal for cardiovascular health.
"This study was performed in healthy adults without diagnosis of hypertension or antihypertensive drug treatment," Dr. Vongpatanasin said.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Very interesting .
….
It’s so hard for me to get an accurate reading because I’m 5’ and my feet never touch the ground in a regular chair, especially when you’re supposed to sit with your back against the chair and arm supported. I’ve never been in a doctor’s office yet that can accommodate my situation.
Another way to read this:
With standing readings, one is more likely to have a higher reading, one is more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension, and thus more people prescribed statins.
statins = $tatins
Have them put a stool or books under your feet, when you sit.
Except statins are not a primary drug used for treating high blood pressure. They are also now all available as generics so not a big profit potential.
Just imagine how much more accurate the reading would be while being chased by a bear. It also could test for low blood pressure and anemia if you’re not fast enough.
I had a tech of some sort (doubtful that she had much training at all) try to take my med history while she was taking my blood pressure last week. The 1st question she asked, I was able to just answer with a ‘No’, but when she asked me another question, I just took a breath and didn’t answer.
Was my BP a little higher than usual? Yes, because I was annoyed.
They are also derived or synthesized from the venom of a pit viper.
But at least it thins the blood! /sarc off
My statin is $1 for a 90 day supply. I’m not seeing the big profit in that.
ACE inhibitors originally came from Pit Vipers. Although rarely used now, Captopril is still around. Statins came from oyster mushrooms
As mentioned, I probably should have said Analodapine for BP.
However, I betcha the big pharma company you are giving $1/90-days is getting quite a bit more than $1. Factor in all the insurance side of the equation. If the company was barely making ends meet to supply you with $1 statin, they’d not sell it.
Also, I no longer trust ANY big pharma. Where they find a drug that has the positive side effect of improving cholesterol numbers, there may be dozens of negative side effects that they’ll sell drugs to “cure” as well.
So are you saying if we synthesize a poison then that makes it OK?
I’m not going to try it, you try it!
And a variety of other meds.
I take my BP at home.
At home it’s normal.
At the doc’s, not so much.
Guess which reading I trust.
The standing one is almost always a little bit higher.
Been doing it this way for several years now.
When he first started doing this he said that it was to see if the new BP med
he started me on was working. It seemed that it was - but I'm still doing the
"sit then stand" thing after several years.
I usually arrive for my doctor’s visit rushed and flustered. I chatter a bit and my BP is often in the upper 130s. I then remember that talking is supposed to raise your blood pressure, so I ask them to let me calm down and retake my BP which is then in the 120s. I am now 85, but when in my upper 70s, my doctor suggested I take statins. I refused and he has not asked since. I was never told I had anything indicative in my heart readings although my cholesterol is often between 220 and 240. I think, however, that my HDLs are often better than my LDLs.
I am small also... mine are all over the place!
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