Mo's Monday Minute: Common Causes of Falsely Elevated Blood Pressure Readings

Factors Affecting Blood Pressure Readings

• ⚠️ Crossed legs can artificially increase systolic blood pressure by 5 to 8 mmHg.
• 🧍 Sitting without back support can elevate systolic blood pressure by up to 6 mmHg.
• 📏 An unsupported dangling arm during measurement can increase systolic blood pressure by 10 to 12 mmHg.

Communication and Cuff Placement

• 🤫 Both the patient and the assessor should remain quiet during the reading, as talking can increase systolic blood pressure by up to 10 mmHg.
• 👕 Placing the blood pressure cuff over clothing can lead to a significant increase in systolic blood pressure, potentially up to 50 mmHg, depending on the fabric thickness.
• 📏 Using a cuff that is too small can increase the reading by 2 to 10 mmHg.

Other Contributing Factors

• 💧 A full bladder can increase systolic blood pressure by up to 15 mmHg.
• 🛏️ Proper patient positioning, ensuring legs are uncrossed, back is supported, arm is supported, and the patient is resting quietly, is crucial for an accurate blood pressure measurement.
• 🩺 Combining multiple of these factors can lead to a significantly falsely elevated blood pressure reading.