Differences in blood pressure readings between supine and sitting positions in hypertensive patients.
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.
Lu
Ling-Chun
LC
Department of Cardiology, Lishui Central Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang Province, China.
Wei
Tie-Min
TM
Li
Shan
S
Ye
Xiao-Li
XL
Zeng
Chun-Lai
CL
Wang
Le-Xin
LX
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