Visit a doctor’s office for almost anything that ails you and the chances are good you will have your blood pressure measured. That’s because it is an essential diagnostic procedure to detect hypertension, a common condition that puts people at risk of heart and kidney disease. Accurate blood pressure measurements are essential for evaluating hypertension and planning effective treatment strategies.
Considering that millions of people have their blood pressure checked every day, it is surprising that this measurement can be so tricky. Often blood pressure measurement in clinics does not conform to the American Heart Association guidelines. Even when providers follow the recommendations, however, the readings may not reflect future risk very well. Mistakes are far more common than most people realize, and the consequences of inaccuracies can be serious.
A Nurse Who Knows Confirms BP Mistakes!
Q. I am a retired registered nurse, and I find that blood pressures are not taken correctly, whether it is the dentist’s office, when donating blood, in the family practice office, etc. Practitioners at all levels often fail to follow all guidelines; frequently there are several errors in technique.
I often wonder about the point of even measuring blood pressure if it is not done correctly. It is disturbing to think how many people are probably being treated for high blood pressure when it is not even taken correctly in the office of the doctor prescribing the medicine.
A. Hypertension leads to a lot of misery including heart attacks and strokes. That’s why it is critical to measure blood pressure accurately.
Here are some guidelines:
Patients should empty their bladders before a BP measurement (Hypertension, May 2019). They should be allowed at least five minutes to sit quietly in a comfortable chair with their back supported and the arm resting at heart level.
The BP cuff must be the right size for the arm. If it is too small, the reading could be falsely elevated. A study of home BP devices reveals that most come with an arm cuff that is too small for many people (Hypertension, Sept. 25, 2024).
At Home BP Measurements:
Taking your blood pressure at home does make sense if you do it properly. You can learn more about measuring and controlling hypertension in our eGuide to Blood Pressure Solutions. This online resource is available under the Health eGuides tab at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
One reader points out why you should measure your own BP:
“I have 40 years of experience in the medical arena. I am 80 years old, and I take my blood pressure three times a day. I don’t believe my blood pressure has ever been taken correctly given all the parameters. My BP is different depending on time of day.”
Should You Lie Down for Blood Pressure Measurements?
A new study presented at the AHA Hypertension Scientific Sessions indicates that measuring blood pressure while the person is lying down results in a more accurate assessment (American Heart Association Hypertension Scientific Sessions, Boston, MA, Sept. 9, 2023). The researchers analyzed data from 11,369 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, ARIC for short. This long-running prospective study compared blood pressure measurements taken sitting and lying down and related them to the likelihood of a stroke, heart attack or cardiovascular death over the next 25 to 28 years.
Blood pressure measured after the volunteers had been lying down for 20 minutes was a better predictor of those serious outcomes than blood pressure measured while the person was seated. Volunteers whose blood pressure was elevated only while lying down were 51% more likely to develop heart failure, 62% more likely to suffer a stroke and 34% more likely to die during the study. Readings taken while the person was seated did not have such a strong correlation with bad outcomes. On the other hand, few clinics provide time or space for blood pressure measurements in the supine position. So let’s take a look at the possible pitfalls for the usual technique.
Falsely Positive Blood Pressure Readings:
A false positive, that is, a reading higher than the true blood pressure, could lead to unnecessary medication. Drugs can be expensive and may have unpleasant side effects such as dizziness, fatigue, impotence, cough or swollen feet.
Falsely Negative Blood Pressure Readings:
A false negative, a reading lower than the actual blood pressure, could lead to undertreatment. This puts people at risk of heart attacks, strokes or kidney disease.
Blood Pressure Cuff:
What causes such errors? According to experts writing in the Journal of Human Hypertension (July, 1997), a common source of error in measuring blood pressure is using the wrong size cuff. A cuff that is too small for a large arm can result in a blood pressure reading higher than it should be. When was the last time a nurse or doctor actually measured your arm circumference and then selected a blood pressure cuff that was designed for your sized arm? Most of the time you will be measured with the device that is handy.
Too Much Blah-Blah Talking Going On:
Another potential problem is talking. Not infrequently a nurse or physician taking blood pressure will strike up a conversation, thinking that it may put the patient at ease. On the contrary, talking during blood pressure measurement can easily raise the reading 10 to 20 points.
When we first heard about this phenomenon we were skeptical. How could seemingly casual conversation affect blood pressure? Research by J.J. Lynch, however, has revealed that when someone talks while having her blood pressure measured can have a profound impact on the outcome. In some cases blood pressure can go far higher than 20 points and could result in a false diagnosis of hypertension.
Arm Position Is Important:
The official position of the American Heart Association is that the “Patient’s arm should be supported at heart level.” If your arm is allowed to hang down lower than heart level the reading is likely to be falsely elevated. If, for some odd reason, your arm is allowed to rest above heart level the reading could be falsely lowered.
You might think this fundamental recommendation from the AHA would always be followed. You would be wrong. It never fails to amaze us that most chairs in exam rooms do not have an arm rest at heart level. Unless the nurse or doctor actually supports your arm at the correct level while measuring your blood pressure, chances are good that your arm will be lower than appropriate and that will falsely elevate the reading.
Another problem that is rarely considered by health professionals is a cold examining room. If you are wearing one of those flimsy little paper gowns, feeling chilly and exposed may increase blood pressure more than 10 points.
White Coat Hypertension:
And speaking of uneasiness, “white coat hypertension” affects up to one patient in five. These are people whose blood pressure skyrockets when the doctor walks into the room. Some people with normal blood pressure may have office readings as high as 180/110.
Many doctors and nurses have a hard time accepting this concept. After all, how could their mere presence cause a patient’s blood pressure to spike? Health professionals like to think of themselves as kind, compassionate healers, not scary threats to a patient’s well being. Nevertheless, many people become very anxious the minute a doctor knocks on the exam room door.
Anyone who is susceptible to this phenomenon should be measuring blood pressure at home. There are affordable, easy-to-use digital machines that allow people to keep a diary of their readings over the course of several weeks or months. This permits the physician to get a broader understanding of their blood pressure in a variety of settings. You should check the home machine against the equipment in the doctor’s office periodically to make sure it is accurate.
Anyone who would like additional details about proper blood pressure measurement, white coat hypertension and drugs used to treat high blood pressure may find our Guide to Blood Pressure helpful. It has a detailed list of dos and don’ts of measuring and managing blood pressure. Here is a link to all our guides.
The People’s Pharmacy Perspective:
Measuring blood pressure is harder than it looks. Getting it right requires good technique and careful monitoring over time. This facilitates the best possible treatment for those who need it and protects others from unnecessary medication.
Share your own experience with blood pressure measurement below and please vote on this article at the top of the page. We would also be grateful if you would share this article with friends or family. A lot of people feel at the mercy of the med tech who weighs them and takes their blood pressure. Perhaps this article will give them the strength to speak up and demand proper BP measuring technique.
