Abstract

THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT BODY POSITIONS ON BLOOD PRESSURE

*A. Sravani, Dr. G. Ramesh, Dr. P. Srinivasa Babu, K. Rishitha and Ch. Kranthi

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of the present study was to test the effects of different body positions on BP readings in healthy young adults. Background: It is known that many factors influence an individual’s blood pressuremeasurement. However, guidelines for accurately measuring blood pressure inconsistentlyspecify that patient’s position and they should keep feet flat on the floor.Although there are more information on arm position in blood pressure measurement,surprisingly little information can be found in the literature with respect to the influenceof body position on the blood pressure readings in healthy young people. Methods: A total of 157 healthy young adults who had accepted to participate in thestudy were randomly selected. In all subjects the blood pressure was measured subsequentlyin four positions: Sitting blood pressure was taken from the left arm, whichwas flexed at the elbow and supported at the heart level on the chair. After at least oneminute of standing, the blood pressure was then taken standing, with the arm supportedat the elbow and the cuff at the heart level. After one minute of rest, the bloodpressure was subsequently taken supine position. Finally, after one minute the bloodpressure was again taken in this last position with supine position with crossed legs. Results: The blood pressure tended to drop in the standing position compared with the sitting, supine and supine with crossed legs. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was the highest in supine position when compared the other positions. There was adifference between systolic blood pressures and this was statistically significant (P < 0.001) but the difference between diastolic blood pressure was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). All changes in systolic blood pressure were statistically significant except those from supine to supine position with crossed legs.

Keywords: .