Improper arm positioning may lead to hypertension misdiagnoses: 5 notes

Insufficient arm support can lead to an overestimated blood pressure reading of almost 7mmHG and a potential misdiagnosis of hypertension, according to a study published Oct. 7 in JAMA Internal Medicine. 

Here are five things to know from the study:

1. Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore studied the effect different arm positions had during blood pressuring screenings. The arm positions were supported on a desk, supported on a lap and unsupported at the patient’s side.
   
   
2. Researchers measured the blood pressure of 133 adult participants ages 18 to 80 between Aug. 9, 2022, and June 1, 2023.
   
   
3. When a patient's arm was supported on their lap, systolic blood pressure was overestimated by 3.9 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure was overestimated by 4.0 mmHg.
   
   
4. When a patient's arm was unsupported at their side, systolic blood pressure was overestimated by 6.5 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure was overestimated by 4.4 mmHg.
   
   
5. Current American Heart Association guidelines recommend back support, uncrossed legs with feet flat on the floor and an arm supported on a desk or table with the blood pressure cuff at mid-heart level. 

Read the full study methodology and results here.