A recent analysis suggests that commonly used ways of positioning a patient’s arm during blood pressure screenings may overestimate blood pressure and lead to misdiagnosis of hypertension. Proper arm position for blood pressure screening is important but often overlooked in daily practice. A study found that supporting the arm on the lap overestimated blood pressure, while having the arm unsupported at the side also led to overestimation. Proper positioning guidelines include having the patient seated with feet flat on the floor, back supported, and arm supported at heart level. Clinicians and patients should be aware of these guidelines to ensure accurate readings.
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Wrong positioning for BP screening could overestimate measurements
