Here are five things to know from the study:
- Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore studied the effect different arm positions had during blood pressuring screenings. The arm positions were supported on a desk, supported on a lap and unsupported at the patient’s side.
- Researchers measured the blood pressure of 133 adult participants ages 18 to 80 between Aug. 9, 2022, and June 1, 2023.
- When a patient’s arm was supported on their lap, systolic blood pressure was overestimated by 3.9 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure was overestimated by 4.0 mmHg.
- When a patient’s arm was unsupported at their side, systolic blood pressure was overestimated by 6.5 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure was overestimated by 4.4 mmHg.
- Current American Heart Association guidelines recommend back support, uncrossed legs with feet flat on the floor and an arm supported on a desk or table with the blood pressure cuff at mid-heart level.
Read the full study methodology and results here.
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