Having your blood pressure checked is a routine part of many doctor visits. Most of the time, the test is done while you are sitting in a chair.
However, new research suggests that this common method may miss some people who are at risk of serious heart problems.
The study was presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2023.
Researchers found that some people have high blood pressure only when they are lying flat on their backs.
Even though their blood pressure appears normal while sitting, they may still face a higher risk of heart disease and other health problems.
Blood pressure naturally changes as the body moves between sitting, standing, and lying down. A healthy body adjusts to these changes. For some people, however, these adjustments do not happen properly, which may reveal hidden problems that are not seen during a standard blood pressure check.
The research was led by Duc M. Giao, a medical student at Harvard Medical School. The team studied information from more than 11,000 adults whose blood pressure was measured while they were lying down between 1987 and 1989. The participants were then followed for almost 30 years to see how their health changed over time.
The results showed that about 16 percent of participants had high blood pressure while lying down even though their sitting blood pressure was normal. People with high blood pressure in both sitting and lying positions had a greater chance of developing heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and dying early.
Even more surprising, people whose blood pressure was high only while lying down had almost the same level of risk. This suggests that hidden high blood pressure in the lying position should be taken just as seriously as high blood pressure found while sitting.
The findings may help doctors identify people who would otherwise appear healthy during a routine check-up. If hidden high blood pressure is found early, patients may be able to receive treatment before serious heart problems develop.
The researchers say people who already have risk factors for heart disease or stroke may benefit from having their blood pressure measured in more than one position. Blood pressure monitoring during normal daily activities or while sleeping may also provide useful information about heart health.
This study mainly involved middle-aged adults, so more research is needed to learn whether the same results apply to older people and other groups.
Even so, the findings suggest that a simple extra blood pressure check while lying down could give doctors a clearer picture of a person’s health and help prevent future illness.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and drinking green tea could help lower blood pressure.
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about what to eat or to avoid for high blood pressure, and 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
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