Relaxation Gives Truer Blood Pressure Reading

SUNDAY, April 30 (HealthDay News) -- Taking a few minutes to relax and get comfortable before having your blood pressure checked will yield lower readings, according to a study by University of Virginia Health System nurses.

It found that systolic blood pressure can be an average of 14 points higher when a reading is taken immediately after a patient arrives in an exam room and sits on an examination table, rather than sitting in a chair with the back supported and feet flat on the floor.

All the study participants had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings when they sat in a chair than when they were on an examination table.

The study authors noted that a 14-point variation in a blood pressure reading can mean the difference between a patient being considered healthy and receiving an inaccurate diagnosis.

"Currently, most patients get called (to the exam room) for their appointment, sit on the table, and immediately get their blood pressure measured," study team leader Melly Turner said in a prepared statement. "Our study reaffirmed the American Heart Association's technique that patients should sit in a calm environment with feet flat on the floor, resting their back against the chair for at least five minutes before taking a blood pressure measurement on a bare arm at heart level. All too often, this doesn't happen," she said.

The findings were presented at a recent meeting of the Preventative Cardiovascular Nurses Association.

"Patients should know what their blood pressure is," Turner said. "If they have a diagnosis of high blood pressure, they need to know what the goal of their blood pressure should be, and how to get it there.

This requires making necessary lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet, lowering fat intake, lowering salt and sodium intake, in addition to incorporating at least 30 minutes of physical activity into their schedule most days of the week," she added.

More information
The American Heart Association has more about blood pressure testing and measurement.

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