Epidemiological and clinical implications of blood pressure measured in seated versus supine position

• The evidence concerning how posture influences blood pressure is not consistent. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to consider the clinical and epidemiological implications of blood pressure measured in seated versus supine position, and to investigate the impact of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and diabetes on these differences. This study included 1298 individuals (mean age 58.6 +/- 11.8 years) from the Vara-Skovde cohort at the 10 years' follow-up visit in 2014. Physical examination included blood pressure measurements in seated and supine position. Self-reported information on diabetes status, hypertension, ongoing medication, leisure time physical activity, and smoking habits were obtained. Linear regression models accounted for differences in age, sex, BMI, and known diabetes. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in the seated position [1.2mm Hg, P<.001, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.79-1.54 and 4.2mm Hg, P<.001, 95% CI 4.08-4.71, respectively]. The prevalence of high blood pressure in seated position was higher (19.9%) than in supine position (13.5%). Linear regression analysis showed that age (beta=-0.215, P<.001) and diabetes (beta=-0.072, P=.012) were associated with smaller differences in postural diastolic blood pressure and BMI (beta=0.124, P<.001) with greater difference. This study showed substantial postural differences in blood pressures measured in office. Measuring blood pressure in the supine position shows lower blood pressure readings when compared with the seated position. Clinicians should be aware of how age, BMI, and diabetes influence these differences.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Allmänmedicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- General Practice (hsv//eng)

Keyword

blood pressure measurement

body position

clinical and epidemiological implications

hypertension

Vara-Skovde cohort

diabetes-mellitus

european-society

arm position

risk-factors

part 1

body

obesity

recommendations

hypertension

association

General & Internal Medicine

olt m

1990

american journal of hypertension

v3

p697

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)