Arm position matters during blood pressure checks, John Hopkins study finds
Researchers from John Hopkins say to get an accurate reading, your arm should not be on your lap or dangle unsupported at your side.
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A new study from John Hopkins published in the JAMA Internal Medicine has found that blood pressure checks are often not done correctly.
"Inaccurate measurements, whether in the clinic or in the home can lead to misdiagnosis or either over or under treatment," says Dr. Tammy Brady, the study's lead researcher.
People who do not address their high blood pressure can suffer from stiffening blood vessels, heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and eye issues.
Researchers from John Hopkins say to get an accurate reading, your arm should not be on your lap or dangle unsupported at your side. Instead, your arm should rest at chest height.
Brady says people should avoid exercise, tobacco, nicotine and alcohol for at least 30 minutes before a check and use the bathroom beforehand. She says people need to sit with their back supported, their feet on the floor and be free of distractions so that you can relax.
"Ideally, you would take two to three measurements, 30 to 60 seconds apart and take the average of those measurements. And that part is important because everyone's blood pressure varies, minute to minute beat to beat. And in order to get closer to the truth, you want an average of those measurements," says Brady.
