title: Differences in blood pressure readings between supine and sitting positions in hypertensive patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of postures on blood pressure (BP) readings in patients with hypertension.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BP was measured in 1,487 hypertensive patients in sitting and supine positions. The systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP in supine position was 2.9 +/- 7.8mmHg and 0.9 +/- 5.4 mmHg higher, respectively, than in the sitting position (P <0.001). The greatest difference between supine and sitting SBP was found in those aged between 30 and 39 years (3.6 +/- 6.8 mmHg), and in those who were older than 80 years (5.3 +/- 7.9 mmHg).A greater difference between the supine and sitting DBP was identified in the groups > 60-years of age. Multivariate regression analysis showed that age and sex were independent predictors for the increment of BP in the supine position.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a significant difference between supine and sitting SBP and DBP, with age and sex being the most important predicting factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Lishui Central Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Ling-Chun
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Tie-Min
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Shan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiao-Li
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Chun-Lai
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Le-Xin
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D016683:Supine Position / Q000502:physiology