Arm Position and Blood Pressure Measurement
Authors: Thomas J. Hemingway, David A. Guss, Diego Abdelnur
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2004)

Letters6 January 2004Arm Position and Blood Pressure MeasurementThomas J. Hemingway, MD, David A. Guss, MD, and Diego AbdelnurThomas J. Hemingway, MDFrom University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103-8676; and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226., David A. Guss, MDFrom University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103-8676; and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226., and Diego AbdelnurFrom University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103-8676; and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-140-1-200401060-00037 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Background: Blood pressure is assessed as a part of the routine physical examination. Blood pressure values stratify patients into epidemiologic groupings and direct selection of therapy. Studies dating back to 1906 suggest that arm position affects blood pressure measurement; however, little attention is given to this fact (1-5).Objective: To determine whether arm position affects arm blood pressure measurement.Methods: We conducted a prospective study using a convenience sample in an emergency department. The inclusion criteria were age older than 17 years and a chief symptom unlikely to be associated with cardiovascular instability. The exclusion criteria were ...References1. Mariotti G, Alli C, Avanzini F, Canciani C, Di Tullio M, Manzini M, et al . Arm position as a source of error in blood pressure measurement. Clin Cardiol. 1987;10:591-3. [PMID: 3665216] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Kahn MH. The position of the arm in blood pressure measurement. Am J Med Sci. 1919;158:823-29. CrossrefGoogle Scholar3. Merendino J, Finnerty FA. Importance of the position of the arm on the level of arterial blood pressure. JAMA. 1961;175:51-3. [PMID: 13769586] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Mitchell PL, Parlin RW, Blackburn H. Effect of vertical displacement of the arm on indirect blood-pressure measurement. N Engl J Med. 1964;271:72-4. [PMID: 14149257] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Webster J, Newnham D, Petrie JC, Lovell HG. Influence of arm position on measurement of blood pressure. Br Med J Clin Res Ed. 1984;288:1574-5. [PMID: 6426648] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. The sixth report of the Joint National Committee on prevention, detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood pressure. Arch Intern Med. 1997;157:2413-46. [PMID: 9385294] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. Roche V, O'Malley K, O'Brien E. How "scientific" is blood pressure measurement in leading medical journals? [Letter]. J Hypertens. 1990;8:1167-8. [PMID: 1962808] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. Frohlich ED, Grim C, Labarthe DR, Maxwell MH, Perloff D, Weidman WH. Recommendations for human blood pressure determination by sphygmomanometers; report of a special task force appointed by the Steering Committee, American Heart Association. Hypertension. 1988;11:210A-22A. Google Scholar9. Villegas I, Arias IC, Botero A, Escobar A. Evaluation of the technique used by health-care workers for taking blood pressure. Hypertension. 1995;26:1204-6. [PMID: 7498997] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103-8676; and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited BySources of inaccuracy in the measurement of adult patients' resting blood pressure in clinical settingsArm Position During Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring: A Review of the Evidence and Clinical GuidelinesComparative Assessment of Four Blood Pressure Measurement Methods in HypertensivesThe Impact of Arm Position on the Measurement of Orthostatic Blood PressureVital SignsThe position of the arm during blood pressure measurement in sitting positionTime Poor: Rushing Decreases the Accuracy and Reliability of Blood Pressure Measurement Technique in PregnancyMetabolic Syndrome Among HIV-Infected Patients: Prevalence, characteristics, and related factors 6 January 2004Volume 140, Issue 1Page: 74-75KeywordsBlood pressureElbowEmergency departmentEpidemiologyForecastingHealth care providersHeartHypertensionInstitutional review boardsProspective studies ePublished: 6 January 2004 Issue Published: 6 January 2004 CopyrightCopyright © 2004 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...