Certain common arm positions used for blood pressure checks may lead to inaccurate results

Accurate blood pressure (BP) measurements are crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. However, certain common arm positions used during BP checks may lead to significant inaccuracies in readings. A recent study emphasizes that incorrect positioning—such as having the arm resting in the lap or hanging unsupported by the side—can result in overestimations of systolic and diastolic BP . These discrepancies can mislead healthcare providers, potentially resulting in unnecessary interventions for conditions like hypertension.

This suggests that not consistently having your arm positioned and supported appropriately during a blood pressure reading might result in a misdiagnosis of high blood pressure, which some experts worry could possibly lead to unnecessary treatment.

The study, published Monday in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, found that having your arm resting in the lap during a blood pressure reading can lead to an overestimated systolic blood pressure measurement by 3.9 mm Hg and overestimated diastolic reading by 4 mm Hg. And having your arm hang by your side can lead to an overestimated systolic reading by 6.5 mm Hg and overestimated diastolic reading by 4.4 mm Hg.

"[Patients] must advocate for themselves in the clinical setting and when measuring their BP at home," said senior study author Dr. Tammy Brady, vice chair for clinical research in the department of pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Nearly half of U.S. adults have elevated blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

Research conducted by Liu et al. (2024) illustrates the extent of this issue, revealing that nonstandard arm positions can elevate BP readings by several millimeters of mercury. For instance, an arm resting on the lap was found to overestimate systolic pressure by approximately 3.9 mm Hg, while an unsupported arm yielded even higher discrepancies at 6.5 mm Hg. Such findings underscore the necessity for adherence to standardized measurement protocols to ensure accurate assessment and diagnosis.

Moreover, a study from Johns Hopkins Medicine corroborates these findings by demonstrating that improper arm positioning can lead to substantial overestimations during screenings. The evidence highlights a critical gap in clinical practice; healthcare professionals must prioritize proper techniques during BP assessments. By ensuring arms are adequately supported at heart level according to established guidelines, practitioners can mitigate misdiagnosis risks and enhance patient care outcomes.

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Sarah H

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