A recent study presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2023 in Boston suggests that lying down while getting your blood pressure taken may lead to more accurate readings, particularly for people with high blood pressure. These preliminary findings could potentially help in predicting future stroke, heart issues, and mortality.
While these findings have not yet undergone peer-reviewed publication, they are intriguing for healthcare professionals. Dr. Stephen Juraschek, the senior study researcher and a general internist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre in Boston, as well as an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, expressed surprise at the results and believes they could assist physicians in identifying patients who require treatment.
BLOOD PRESSURE VARIATION
For adults, “normal” blood pressure typically falls below a systolic reading of 120 mmHg and a diastolic reading under 80 mmHg, according to guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology. Blood pressure can vary throughout the day, with night-time measurements considered the most reliable.
The study involved an analysis of 11,369 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. These participants, with an average age of 54, had their blood pressure measured while both lying down and sitting. They were followed for a period of 25-28 years, with individuals who had previously experienced heart issues or stroke excluded from the study.
FINDINGS
The results showed that individuals with high blood pressure only while lying down had a significantly higher risk of coronary heart disease (53% greater), heart failure (51% higher), stroke (62% higher), and all-cause mortality (34% greater) compared to those with normal blood pressure in both positions.
