A study carried out by the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions has found that sitting up while having your blood pressure taken may provide inaccurate readings.
Worryingly, the study revealed those whose blood pressure was normal while sitting but high when lying down were at an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure or premature death.
The researchers carrying out the study said this flawed method of assessing blood pressure could mean many people who need medication or treatment may go undiagnosed.
“If blood pressure is only measured while people are seated upright, cardiovascular disease risk may be missed if not measured also while they are lying supine on their backs,” said lead study author in the research, Duc M. Giao, who’s a 4th-year M.D. student at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
“Our findings suggest people with known risk factors for heart disease and stroke may benefit from having their blood pressure checked while lying flat on their backs.
“Efforts to manage blood pressure during daily life may help lower blood pressure while sleeping. Future research should compare supine blood pressure measurements in the clinic with overnight measurements,” Giao added.
Study’s Methodology
To assess the link between body position, blood pressure and heart health risk, researchers examined the health data of 11,369 adults from the longitudinal Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.
Findings revealed that 16% percent of participants who did not have high blood pressure while they were seated had elevated readings while lying supine (flat on their backs). In addition, 74% of those with seated high blood pressure who also had supine high blood pressure.
The study also revealed that participants who had high blood pressure while seated and supine were 1.6 times more at-risk of developing coronary heart disease(2.18 times higher risk of dying from the condition), 1.83 times more at-risk of developing heart failure, 1.86 times more at-risk of stroke and 1.43 times higher risk of overall premature death.
According to authors, the nervous system regulates blood pressure in different body positions, but gravity may cause the blood to pool when an individual is seated or upright. This means the body is sometimes unable to properly regulate blood pressure during lying, seated and standing positions.
Why Blood Pressure Tests Are Important
Blood pressure tests play a crucial role in preventive healthcare, providing a diagnostic tool that allows healthcare professionals to monitor and assess cardiovascular health.
Hypertension (high) and hypotension (low) sit at either end of the blood pressure spectrum. Hypertension occurs when the force of blood against the artery walls is consistently too high, indicating an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular issues.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, hypotension is when the force of blood is too low, potentially causing dizziness, fainting and inadequate blood flow to organs. Hypotension is usually less indicative of serious underlying health issues and may be linked to dehydration, anaemia or certain medications.
Regardless, both of these conditions require attention and monitoring to maintain optimal health, which is where blood pressure checks come in.
Do You Require A Blood Pressure Test?
High or low blood pressure is often an indication of serious health issues. This is why blood pressure checks are vital as they help detect and manage irregular blood pressure.
Some people are more susceptible to irregular blood pressure, and these should have theirs tested on a more regular basis. So who exactly needs their blood pressure monitoring?
While many believe it’s just the elderly or those with underlying health issues, they’d actually be wrong. In fact, most adults are advised to get their blood pressure checked out, although some should definitely have theirs looked at more regularly than others.
If you’re under 40 and you have no underlying health issues or risk factors, chances are you won’t need to get your blood pressure taken. On the other hand, if you display any of the symptoms associated with high or low blood pressure then you should probably get yourself checked out just in case.
For anyone over 40, the NHS recommends getting your blood pressure taken at least once every five years, irrespective of how healthy you are. Anyone with risk factors or high blood pressure is advised to get checked out more often, ideally once a year.
These risk factors include the following:
- As the risk of hypertension increases with age, older adults in the UK are advised to have regular blood pressure checks to monitor their cardiovascular health.
- Family history – If you have high blood pressure in your family then you should have yours checked regularly
- Obesity – Being overweight can put a strain on your cardiovascular system so regular blood pressure tests are necessary
- Unhealthy diet – If you consume a diet that’s high in sodium (salt), processed foods and saturated fats then this can contribute to hypertension (high blood pressure).
- Smoking – Smoking constricts blood vessels and increases the heart rate so if you’re a smoker then this can put you at risk.
- Drinking – Alcohol also constricts the blood vessels so heavy drinkers are at higher risk.
- Chronic conditions – Those who have certain chronic health conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease or heart disease are automatically at a higher risk of hypertension.
- Pregnancy – Pregnant women may develop gestational hypertension or preeclampsia during pregnancy. Blood pressure monitoring is a routine part of prenatal care.
If you fall under any of the above risk factors then we advise getting a blood pressure check in a pharmacy. You can pop into one of our branches and a trained professional will take your blood pressure quickly and efficiently.
And if you’d prefer to have your blood pressure reading taken while you’re lying on your back after reading the evidence found in the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions, this won’t be a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Blood pressure readings can be affected by factors such as body position, arm support, cuff size, recent exercise, caffeine, stress and talking during the test. Following the correct measuring technique helps ensure a more accurate result.
Sit quietly for at least five minutes before the test with your back supported, feet flat on the floor and your arm resting at heart level. Avoid talking during the measurement and ensure the blood pressure cuff fits properly.
Adults aged 40 and over should have their blood pressure checked regularly, even if they feel well. More frequent checks may be recommended if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease or other cardiovascular risk factors.