How do I take my Orthostatic Blood Pressure?

[Rockford]

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

[Carey Gregory]

rockfordx2@hotmail.com (Rockford) wrote:

>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. ;-)

[Griffin]

On 2004-06-29 23:55:39 -0400, rockfordx2@hotmail.com (Rockford) said:

> 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.