Hypertension, one of the most preventable and treatable causes of premature death worldwide, is often measured at home. However, new research suggests that measuring blood pressure while lying down may be a more accurate indicator than sitting. A study led by Duc M. Giao found that individuals with normal seated blood pressure can still exhibit elevated blood pressure when lying down, which significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart disease, stroke, and death.
The study, conducted over 27 years among 11,369 participants in the ARIC initiative, revealed striking correlations. For those without seated hypertension, 16.4% exhibited supine (lying-down) hypertension. Conversely, 73.5% with seated hypertension also had elevated blood pressure when lying down. Among individuals with only supine hypertension, the risk of coronary heart disease was 60% higher, while heart failure posed an 83% increased risk.
This research challenges previous assumptions about blood pressure measurements and highlights the importance of considering lying-down hypertension as a more critical indicator. The findings could revolutionize how healthcare providers assess cardiovascular risks and tailor treatments for individuals with high blood pressure when resting.
While further studies are needed to explore targeted treatments and interactions with other conditions like nocturnal hypertension, the results underscore the need to prioritize supine hypertension in prevention strategies. For now, healthcare professionals should encourage patients to monitor their blood pressure while lying down as part of a comprehensive health management plan.
Source: https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/measuring-blood-pressure-supine