Common causes of inaccurate BP Measurements
| When the patient has… | BP can appear higher by… |
| A full bladder | 10-15 mmHg |
| An unsupported back | 5-10 mmHg |
| Unsupported feet | 5-10 mmHg |
| Crossed legs | 2-8 mmHg |
| Cuff over clothing | 10-40 mmHg |
| Unsupported arm | 10 mmHg |
| A conversation or is talking | 10-15 mmHg |
The table comes from the AMA website. https://wire.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/how-get-most-accurate-blood-pressure-measurement
Original source: 1. Pickering, et al. Circulation 2005; 2. O’Brien, et al. Blood Press Mon. 2002
Potential sources of inaccuracy when measuring Blood Pressure
timeofcare.com/potential-sources-of-inaccuracy-when-measuring-blood-pressure/
Kallioinen N, Hill A, Horswill MS, Ward HE, Watson MO. Sources of inaccuracy in the measurement of adult patients’ resting blood pressure in clinical settings: a systematic review. Journal of Hypertension. 2017;35(3):421-441. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5278896/ *** See table 2