A recent study presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2023 has suggested a crucial correlation between elevated blood pressure when lying flat and heightened risks of severe cardiovascular events.
It accentuates the importance of measuring blood pressure in diverse body positions to identify hidden cardiovascular disease risks accurately.
The study, led by Duc M. Giao, a researcher and 4th-year M.D. student at Harvard Medical School, aimed to explore the relationship between body position, blood pressure, and heart health risk.
The research involved analyzing the health data of 11,369 adults participating in the longitudinal Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, covering an average follow-up period of 25 to 28 years.
Key Findings
16% of participants without high blood pressure while seated experienced high blood pressure while lying supine.
Those with high blood pressure in both seated and supine positions faced increased risks, including 1.6 times higher risk of developing coronary heart disease and a 1.83 times higher risk of developing heart failure.
Similar elevated risks were noted for participants with high blood pressure while supine but not while seated.
The elevated risks were found to be independent of blood pressure medication use.
Critical Implications
These findings underscore the potential miss in diagnosing cardiovascular disease risks when blood pressure is only measured while individuals are seated.
People with known risk factors might benefit from having their blood pressure evaluated while lying flat, offering a more comprehensive insight into their cardiovascular health status.
Regular monitoring and management of blood pressure during daily activities can aid in lowering blood pressure during sleep and potentially mitigating associated risks.
Limitations
It’s pivotal to note that the study predominantly concentrated on adults who were middle-aged at the time of enrollment.
Hence, the applicability of the results to older populations may be restricted, requiring further extensive studies to validate the implications across varied age groups.
Conclusion
This research illuminates a significant relationship between supine blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular events, emphasizing the imperative need for multifaceted blood pressure measurements.
By incorporating evaluations while lying flat, healthcare practitioners can uncover obscured risks, enabling more accurate risk assessments and targeted interventions.
While the study’s focus on a specific age group underscores the need for broader research, the insights gained pave the way for enhanced preventive measures and management strategies in mitigating cardiovascular risks.
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