Small mistakes in blood pressure measurement can affect diagnosis and treatment

A general practitioner warns that simple errors in blood pressure measurement technique, such as arm position, can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. A 2024 Johns Hopkins study showed that leaving the arm hanging down raises systolic reading by 6.5 mmHg.

A general practitioner warns that seemingly minor errors in blood pressure measurement technique, such as the patient's sitting position and arm placement, can lead to a misdiagnosis of hypertension and inappropriate treatment. The warning is based on a 2024 study by researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine involving 133 adults. The study found that leaving the arm hanging unsupported by the side raised the systolic reading by about 6.5 mmHg and the diastolic reading by about 4.4 mmHg. Placing the arm on the thigh increased the systolic reading by about 4 mmHg. The UK's National Health Service (NHS) recommends sitting quietly for at least five minutes before measurement, with the back supported, feet flat on the floor, and the arm resting on a firm surface at heart level. However, these procedures are not always followed in busy clinics. The article, citing the Daily Mail, quotes Dr. Dean Eget saying accurate measurement is essential to identify those at risk and treat them correctly, warning that overtreatment can cause real harm.