When you go to the doctor’s office, a healthcare provider takes your vitals: your temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure. It’s a pretty easy, straightforward process.
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You may have also carried out some of these tests on your own. For example, people who have hypertension or related conditions may check their blood pressure more regularly at home.
You may be testing it wrong without realizing, though, according to the findings of a new study.
Related: 7 Simple Tricks to Tame Your Blood Pressure Quickly, According to Heart Health Experts
Research Findings on Arm Positioning Affecting Blood Pressure Readings
Regardless of whether you’re at the doctor’s or at home—but especially with the latter—it’s important to know how you hold your arm actually matters. A recent study says a certain arm position—resting it on a surface—gives the most accurate blood pressure reading.
Related: Here’s How Much Stress Actually Impacts Your Blood Pressure—and What You Can Do About It
Some background: The study, published in October 2024 in JAMA Internal Medicine, took the blood pressure of 133 adults who held their arms in three different, common positions: laying it on their lap, resting it on a surface and hanging by their side.
The results were significant. When participants held their arms by their side, their systolic pressure was about 6.5 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) higher and their diastolic pressure was 4.4 mmHg higher. When they placed their arms in their laps, their systolic pressure was up 3.9 mmHg and their diastolic pressure was up four mmHg.
“This crossover randomized clinical trial showed that commonly used arm positions (lap or side) resulted in substantial overestimation of [blood pressure] readings and may lead to misdiagnosis and overestimation of hypertension,” the study notes.
Related: Whether You’re Dealing With High Blood Pressure or Want to Avoid It in the Future, Here Are the 25 Best Foods to Eat
Other Tips for an Accurate Blood Pressure Reading
Other best practices for taking blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association, include:
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Put your feet flat on the floor
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Sit relaxed and quiet for five minutes beforehand
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Empty your bladder beforehand
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Avoid caffeine, exercise and smoking for 30 minutes beforehand
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Remove clothing from the arm
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Test twice and average the results
The more accurate the reading, the better you understand your health status—and the easier it is to avoid unwanted problems.
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Related: The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do if You Have High Blood Pressure
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