Crossing a leg at the knee during blood pressure measurement significantly increased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to keeping feet flat on the floor (p < .0001).
Cross-Sectional (n=100)
No
Does crossing a leg at the knee during blood pressure measurement increase blood pressure readings in hypertensive male subjects?
Crossing legs at the knee during blood pressure measurement significantly increases both systolic and diastolic readings, reinforcing the need for patients to keep feet flat on the floor.
p-value: p=< .0001
BACKGROUND: It is clear that numerous factors influence an individual's blood pressure measurement. However, guidelines for accurately measuring blood pressure inconsistently specify that the patient should keep feet flat on the floor. OBJECTIVE: To determine if the crossing of a leg at the knee during blood pressure measurement has an effect on the patient's blood pressure reading. METHODS: A convenience sample of 100 hypertensive male subjects was selected from various outpatient clinics in an inner-city acute-care veterans' hospital. The first 50 subjects positioned their feet flat on the floor while their blood pressure was measured. After 3 minutes, the blood pressure was measured again with the subject's leg crossed at the knee. The procedure was reversed for the second 50 subjects. RESULTS: The results indicated that both systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased significantly (p < .0001) with the crossed leg position. CONCLUSION: When blood pressure is measured, patients should be instructed to have feet flat on the floor to eliminate a potential source of error.
Foster-Fitzpatrick et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=100). Crossing of a leg at the knee vs. Feet flat on the floor was evaluated on Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p=< .0001). Crossing a leg at the knee during blood pressure measurement significantly increased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to keeping feet flat on the floor (p < .0001).
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