Taking Standing Blood Pressure (Correct Arm Position)

[bustersacc11]

I was taught when you take a sitting or standing blood pressure that you are supposed to flex the arm and support it on a smooth surface at heart level. If you let your arm hang down when taking a sitting or standing blood pressure that it can give you an inaccurate value. If arm is hanging down it can give you higher blood pressure values, which may be inaccurate value.

Anyone been instructed differently?

[Guest Alex]

I haven't exactly been instructed, but in a 'monkey see, monkey do' fashion I check my standing BP in the same manner all the drs I've seen so far and all the nurses in the ER and the hospital have: with my arm hanging down.

Alex

[Chaos]

I've been instructed that the "proper" way to do it is to have it supported at heart level although it's been done lots of times in doctors' offices with the arm hanging down. But, when it was done with it elevated/supported position, the nurses have always made a point to mention that it's the way it's "supposed to be done".

[DoozlyGirl]

In my formal training to take BPs, we were taught to have the arm elevated at heart level for standing BPs. This is also the most common technique used during excercise treadmill tests in hospitals where I've worked.

[derekliz]

I believe that the arm should be level with the heart....has me thinking now. When my TTT was done and my BP was checked consistently over 45 min, my arm was cuffed and by my side strapped in the entire time! Wonder how true my #'s are then??

Liz