Where and how you sit matters when getting blood pressure taken at the doctor's office (You may not have high blood pressure)

Medical Xpress / American Heart Association / eClinicalMedicine ^ | Nov. 10, 2023 | Laura Williamson / Bruce S. Alpert et al

[ConservativeMind]

Millions of people with normal blood pressure may be misclassified as having blood pressure that is too high because of improper positioning when measurements are taken, research suggests.

Guidelines call for a patient to be seated in a chair with feet flat on the floor, their back supported and the arm wearing the blood pressure cuff supported at heart level. Doing so helps ensure an accurate reading. But many health care professionals take blood pressure measurements while the patient is seated on an examining table, leaving their legs to dangle and their back and arm unsupported.

Being misclassified with high blood pressure, also called hypertension, can lead to "people undergoing treatment who don't need it," Wexler said.

In the study, 150 adults were randomly assigned to one of three groups. In one group, blood pressure readings were taken on a fixed-height exam table and then in an exam chair with adjustable positioning. A second group had the same readings taken in reverse order. A third group had both sets of readings taken in the exam chair. There was a rest period before each set of readings. Results were pooled and the average of three measurements taken on the table were compared to the average of those taken in the chair.

For readings taken on the exam table, the average systolic (top number) blood pressure was 7 mmHg higher and the average diastolic (bottom number) reading was 4.5 mmHg higher than those taken seated in the chair, adhering to guideline-recommended positioning. The researchers concluded this difference was large enough to misclassify millions of people as having hypertension whose blood pressure was actually within the normal range.

Hypertension is diagnosed when measurements consistently reach or exceed 130 mmHg systolic or 80 mmHg diastolic.

[Scrambler Bob]

I took mine 10 times and got

1270 over 830.

Is that high?

[Toespi]

My fabulous old school endocrinologist always took my BP in both arms with the squeeze bulb type cuff. He also used a smaller cuff because my arms are thin, said it makes a difference.

[gnarledmaw]

I wont go into all the details but I can confirm that.

I was repeatedly seeing a physician about something. During this period of time I also was experiencing something else likely unrelated to that issue and that other thing was that when I experienced some naughty thoughts I would sneeze once really loud and forcefully.

When I went to go visit this physician (an old guy) things would be quiet until this one nurse showed up.

Oooh, homina homina. PPPPP-KACHOOO!

Its a good thing he was a neurologist because every time that nurse showed up I nearly shot my brains out my ears.

[CommerceComet]

Recent caffeine consumption can also affect BP. The Mayo Clinic has a test that you can do to determine if your BP is affected by caffeine. I found that my BP was elevated about 10 points on the systolic and 6 points on the diastolic. As a result of this, I always take my BP before I have my morning coffee or wait at least 2 hours after caffeine consumption.

It is usually recommended to sit quietly 5 minutes before taking your BP and not to talk while taking BP readings. Both of those are routinely violated in doctor's offices.

[Faith65]

Thanks.
BKMK

[minnesota_bound]

Try taking cinnamon pills to lower blood pressure.

cinnamon pills to lower blood pressure
http://tinyurl.com/bdenbzdw

[rdl6989]

Thanks, I’ll try just about anything at this point.

[minnesota_bound]

It is the same cinnamon you put on your toast but in a gel capsule. BTW it taste great.

Also never take a spoonful of cinnamon or your face will turn beet red. Search on it as there are youtube videos.

[Delta 21]

My PCP couldnt get one on me to save her life. I take mine twice a day and it is very particular you are setting up. It will not register if Im on my back. I do it on my bed with my feet dangling, Maybe a stool I can reach while setting.

I was fine before I started going to the doctor and taking all these new pills.

Still having stomach cramps after stopping Ozempic and Trulicty over a month ago. Damn it hurts! I can believe it. It probly shrunk my stomach forever so I get to eaat 3-4 oz meals for the rest of my life

Grrrr.

[ConservativeMind]

On the positive side, you are now a cheap date!