High Blood Pressure: Your Arm Position Could Be Giving False Readings!

SunBro Health

High Blood Pressure? Your Arm Position Could Be Giving False Readings.  If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, double-check your arm position. Common positions during blood pressure checks can lead to inaccurately high readings. When the arm is supported at heart level, readings were up to 6.5 points lower than other positions, like resting on the lap or hanging at the side.  References: https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/news/20241008/do-you-really-have-high-blood-pressure-check-arm-position

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00:00Welcome back sun bro, we hope you all in great health and great money.

00:04Before we start, please at least subscribe so we can have little money for food and paying bills.

00:09Alright, today we are going to talk about,

00:12High blood pressure, your arm position could be giving false readings.

00:16If you've been diagnosed with high blood pressure, double check your arm position.

00:20Common positions during blood pressure checks can lead to inaccurately high readings.

00:24When the arm is supported at heart level, readings were up to 6.5 points lower than

00:28other positions, like resting on the lap or hanging at the side.

00:32These differences can move you between blood pressure ranges,

00:34possibly leading to unnecessary medication.

00:37High blood pressure is often overdiagnosed.

00:39It's important to advocate for proper technique when

00:41checking your blood pressure at home or in a clinic.

00:44A study of 133 people, average age 57, found these results consistent across

00:49factors like obesity, age, and access to healthcare.

00:52The correct position consistently gave accurate readings.

00:55Guidelines recommend using a properly sized cuff, sitting with your back supported,

00:59feet flat, and arm at heart level, resting on a table.

01:03In the study, participants simulated a clinic visit, including walking,

01:06using the restroom, and resting for 5 minutes before their reading.

01:10When the arm rested on the lap, systolic pressure was

01:12overestimated by 3.9 points and diastolic by 4.0 points.

01:17If the arm was unsupported, systolic was overestimated by 6.5 points and diastolic by 4.4 points.

01:23Normal blood pressure is under 120 80ths,

01:26with high blood pressure diagnosed at 130 80ths or above.

01:30The study was conducted because many settings lack a heart height surface,

01:33especially when patients sit on exam tables.

01:36Nearly half of US adults have high blood pressure,

01:39often developing in middle age due to stiffening arteries.

01:42It raises the risk of heart attack and stroke,

01:44so accurate diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

01:46Thanks for watching, Sunbro.

01:48Please subscribe, like, comment, and share if you find this helpful.

01:53Come again to our next meeting Sunbro.

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