No matter what work you do or your age, it is imperative to get your blood pressure checked regularly. Low or high blood pressure can negatively impact your health and can eventually lead to chronic diseases if left unchecked. It is a known fact that high blood pressure can lead to cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. Hence, one can consider checking their pressure at home using digital machines. But, recently there has been a debate regarding the correct position to check BP. So, should one lie down or stand up while measuring the pressure?
Experts suggest that there is a correct way to check BP, otherwise, it may not show the reading accurately. Dr Sonia Rawat, Director of the Preventive Health and Wellness Department, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, in an interview with News18, revealed the ideal position for reading BP.
In the interview, Dr Sonia Rawat mentioned that the normal blood pressure in adults should be 120/80 mm Hg. She pointed out that the systolic pressure should be up to 120 mm Hg and diastolic pressure should be up to 80 mm Hg. Anything less or more than this, the problem of high and low blood pressure starts. She further added that in today’s era due to deteriorating lifestyle and eating habits. Hence, she urged that everyone should keep checking their blood pressure and consult a doctor if it is less or more than normal.
The doctor further claimed that while checking blood pressure, it is ideal for a person to sit comfortably on a chair. One should make sure that the feet are placed properly on the floor and the hands should be propped on the table at a height level with the heart. The BP can be measured from either the left or the right hand. With this, one will get a correct BP reading. If a person feels dizzy, then the blood pressure should be checked while lying down. She claims that this will have no significant effect on the readings.
As per the doctor, if you check your blood pressure while lying down, it may read slightly lower as compared to sitting. As per a study published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing in 2007, it was found that when a person is standing up, the blood rushes towards the feet, which can result in low upper body blood pressure readings. When lying down, the opposite happens, hence sitting upright is the best way.
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