Sitting in the wrong position while measuring blood pressure will give incorrect results – Photo: VERYWELL HEALTH
According to guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology, when measuring blood pressure, the patient should sit in a chair with feet flat on the floor, back straight, and wearing a blood pressure cuff on the arm. Heart. Doing this will help ensure accurate readings.
However, many medical staff measure blood pressure by having the patient sit on an examination table, with their legs dangling while their back and arms are unsupported.
“It is not conducive to accurate blood pressure measurement,” says Dr. Randy Wexler, a primary care physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Their above research was presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) scientific conference in Philadelphia on November 11.
Mr. Wexler said being misclassified as having high blood pressure (hypertension) could lead to “unnecessary treatment.” People may not need to take as much medication, he said, because there are always side effects. Therefore, good and accurate blood pressure measurement becomes important.
Research has calculated that millions of Americans have their blood pressure measured incorrectly.
It is estimated that about half of American adults have high blood pressure. A person is diagnosed with high blood pressure when measurements consistently reach or exceed 130 mmHg systolic or 80 mmHg diastolic.
Dr. Jordana Cohen, a nephrologist at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia, who was not involved in the study, said people who are given blood pressure medication when they don’t need it are at risk for their blood pressure getting too low. A condition called hypotension. Low blood pressure can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and may pose a risk of falling.
Mr. Cohen, associate professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, emphasized: “Health systems need to prioritize accurate blood pressure measurement. “Doing so will lead to better health outcomes for patients and is an economically smart solution.”
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