Publication Cover
Acta Clinica Belgica
International Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Medicine
Volume 63, 2008 - Issue 6
300
Views
8
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Article

IMPACT OF POSTURES ON BLOOD PRESSURE IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS

, , , &
Pages 376-380 | Published online: 09 Jan 2014
 

Abstract

Background: Controversies exist on the nature of infl uence of body position on the level of blood pressure. This study was designed to investigate the impact of postures on blood pressures in healthy subjects.

Methods: Blood pressure was measured in 6,485 healthy subjects in both supine and sitting positions, using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer.

Results: The average systolic and diastolic blood pressure in all age groups in the supine position was higher than in the sitting position (P<0.001). There was a reduced systolic pressure increment but enhanced diastolic pressure increment with aging (P<0.05). The levels of sitting blood pressure were inversely correlated to the pressure increments in supine positions (P<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that age is an independent factor for the systolic pressure increment in the supine position (P<0.001), whereas sex, age, body height and body mass index are independent predictors for the increment in diastolic blood pressure (P<0.001).

Conclusions: In healthy subjects, blood pressure in the supine position is higher than in the sitting position and age plays an important part in this posture-related pressure increment.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.