A New Study Reveals the Risks of Measuring Blood Pressure in Different Positions

A new study shows that measuring blood pressure in a position other than sitting is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and even death.

High Blood Pressure While Lying Down Increases Health Risks

A study has found that people who suffer from high blood pressure while lying on their back are more likely to experience heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, or premature death.

The Role of the Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system helps regulate blood pressure in different body positions.

The research team explained that gravity can cause blood to pool when you’re sitting or standing, but the body sometimes can’t properly regulate blood pressure readings when you’re lying down.

The Atherosclerosis Risk Study

The Atherosclerosis Risk Study included approximately 11,369 adults (average age 54 years) in which researchers examined the relationship between body condition, blood pressure, and heart health.

Supine and sitting blood pressure data were collected during the recording period, which occurred between 1987 and 1989.

Study participants had their blood pressure measured while they were briefly in the clinic.

The Findings

The results showed that 16% of participants who did not suffer from high blood pressure while sitting had high levels when lying down.

By comparison, about 74% of people with high blood pressure while sitting also had high readings when lying down.

Additionally, people with high blood pressure while lying down or sitting had a 1.6 times higher risk of coronary heart disease, a 1.83 times higher risk of heart failure, a 1.86 times higher risk of stroke, and a 1.43 times higher risk of premature death in general.

“If blood pressure is only measured when people are sitting upright, the risk of cardiovascular disease may be missed if it is not also measured when people are lying on their back,” said Doc M. Jiao, lead author of the study. The results suggest that for people “those with known risk factors for heart disease and stroke may benefit from measuring blood pressure while lying on their back.”

Limitations and Conclusion

However, the team also reported some limitations, including the age of the participants at the time of enrollment, which may mean the results may not be generalizable to older adults.

The study is scheduled to be presented at the 2023 American Heart Association Scientific Session on Hypertension, Sept. 7-10 in Boston.

Source

Source: Express