Health
Get Accurate Blood Pressure Readings: New Research Reveals Common Testing Mistakes and Solutions
Before visiting a doctor, it’s routine for a nurse to review your medical history, note your height and weight, and check your vital signs. While these steps are standard and usually not a cause for alarm, the blood pressure reading can often raise concerns, especially if it registers high.
For those who experience anxiety in medical settings, known as white coat syndrome, it’s common to have your blood pressure checked multiple times during a visit to ensure accuracy. However, recent research indicates that anxiety might not be the sole factor causing elevated readings. A study published in a medical journal highlights that some standard blood pressure testing methods can lead to inaccurate results, potentially leading to unnecessary diagnoses such as hypertension.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is defined by the American Heart Association (AHA) as a reading of 130/80 or higher. This condition can lead to severe health issues, including stroke, vision loss, heart failure, heart attack, and kidney disease.
The AHA considers a blood pressure reading of 120/80 or less as “normal,” while 120-129/80 is regarded as “elevated.” Factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, and diets high in sodium and saturated fat contribute to high blood pressure. The AHA advises maintaining a healthy weight and regular exercise to keep blood pressure in check.
However, the method used to measure blood pressure is also crucial. The study found that having a supported arm, such as placing it on a table, can significantly affect the reading’s accuracy. Researchers analyzed three common arm positions used in blood pressure measurements: the arm supported on a desk, resting on the lap, and hanging by the side unsupported. According to clinical guidelines, the first option is recommended.
In the study, 133 adults aged 18 to 80 underwent 12 rounds of blood pressure measurements using these arm positions. The findings revealed that the most accurate readings were obtained when the arm was supported on a desk with the monitor cuff at heart level, averaging 126/74, which is considered healthy.
In contrast, the other two arm positions resulted in readings within the hypertension range. The lap-resting position averaged 130/78, while the unsupported arm position averaged 133/78.
“Health care providers need to be reminded about the importance of taking the time to do these steps properly,” stated Tammy Brady, PhD, the study’s senior author. “I just hope that it raises awareness regarding how important things like arm position are to blood pressure measurement accuracy.”
Brady, who is also the medical director of the pediatric hypertension program at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, was taken aback by the study’s outcomes. “I did not expect there to be that much of a difference when the arms were placed in the two alternative positions,” she said. “We thought there’d be a difference, but I was surprised by how much of a difference there was.”
If you suspect your blood pressure reading is inaccurate, it’s important to speak up. Researchers emphasize following the latest clinical practice guidelines, which include using the correct cuff size, ensuring adequate back support, keeping legs uncrossed with feet flat on the ground, and maintaining a properly supported arm position.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.