Influence Of Arm Position On Measurement Of Blood Pressure

• Published in: British medical journal (Clinical research ed.) Vol. 288; no. 6430; pp. 1574 - 1575
• Main Authors: Webster, J., Newnham, D., Petrie, J. C., Lovell, H. G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England British Medical Association 26-05-1984; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Antihypertensives; Arm; Blood pressure; Blood Pressure Determination - methods; Diastolic blood pressure; Heart; Humans; Hypertension; Hypertension - drug therapy; Posture; Pressure dependence; Sitting position; Sphygmomanometers
• ISSN: 0267-0623
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.288.6430.1574

A series of measurements of blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive subjects showed that measurements made with a sphygmomanometer with the arm dependent by the side were consistently higher than those made with the arm horizontal at heart level. The mean difference in a group of 90 hypertensive outpatients was 11/12 mm Hg. Failure to appreciate the importance of arm position may lead to erroneous measurements of blood pressure. This has important implications for clinical practice and research.