How do I take my Orthostatic Blood Pressure?

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Rockford - 30 Jun 2004 04:55 GMT

I know your suppose to be standing when taking your Orthostatic blood
pressure, but is my arm suppose to be strected out at a 90 degree
angle to my side or should I just let my arm fall to my side when
taking it?

Thanks,
Rob

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Carey Gregory - 30 Jun 2004 05:22 GMT

>I know your suppose to be standing when taking your Orthostatic blood
>pressure, but is my arm suppose to be strected out at a 90 degree
>angle to my side or should I just let my arm fall to my side when
>taking it?

Your arm needs to be relaxed to get an accurate BP, so you definitely don't
want to be holding out it from your body.

If you're doing it yourself, rest it on a counter-top or something like that
so you can stand and still have it relaxed.

- Just me, who does this every day, answering for the doctors who haven't
taken a BP since residency, and the nurses who rely on machines. ;-)

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Griffin - 30 Jun 2004 05:23 GMT

> I know your suppose to be standing when taking your Orthostatic blood
> pressure, but is my arm suppose to be strected out at a 90 degree
> angle to my side or should I just let my arm fall to my side when
> taking it?

Neither. Your arm should be supported at the level of your heart.

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