Study: Arm Position May Lead to Incorrect Blood Pressure Readings

A new study finds the accuracy of blood pressure readings is dependent on the way a patient’s arm is positioned.

Researches recruited 133 adults for the study published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine. Volunteers’ ages ranged from 18 to 80 and 78% of them were black while 52% were female. 

Incorrect Blood Pressure Readings

The scientists found when people had their arms hanging by their sides during the reading, their systolic pressure was 6.5 points higher than when their arms were resting on the desk. Systolic pressure is the upper number in a blood pressure reading and diastolic is the bottom number. When the study participants had their arms by their sides, the diastolic blood pressure was 4.4 points higher than in the supported position.

A similar result was produced when people had their blood pressure taken with their arms on their laps. The systolic blood pressure was 3.9 points higher than when their arms were on the desk, while the diastolic pressure was 4 points higher than in the supported position.

These differences can lead to more diagnoses of hypertensions and patients being given medications they don’t need.

“One of my hopes is that this will help inform patients as to how to do this on their own and also to tell their health care provider the right way,” said the study’s senior author, Dr. Tammy Brady, a pediatrician and epidemiologist and medical director of the pediatric hypertension program at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. “Patients should be empowered to make sure the blood pressure measurement is accurate.” 

To get an accurate blood pressure reading, the American Heart Association recommends a patient’s arm be supported. The organization also said the patient should avoid caffeine, exercise and smoking for 30 minutes, the blood pressure cuff should be positioned at mid-heart level and the patient’s feet should be on the floor with their back supported.

Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure which means the readings are less than 120 systolic pressure and less than 80 diastolic. Hypertension causes minimal symptoms, but if left untreated, it can increase the risk of stroke, heart attack and other serious cardiovascular conditions.

But, patients who receive blood pressure lowering medication that they don’t need may experience side effects, such as lightheadedness, dizziness, fatigue and blurry vision.

“[Patients should] be aware of the proper blood pressure measuring technique and to advocate for themselves if they think the blood pressure reading is higher than they think it should be,” said Dr. Karyn Singer, an assistant professor of medicine at New York University and assistant vice president of chronic disease and prevention at NYC Health + Hospitals, who was not affiliated with the study.

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, Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure.
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