Modifications to standard guidelines and changes in blood pressure readings: use of an automatic blood pressure device.

The purpose of the study was to determine what effect modifications to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines produce when taking blood pressures with an automatic device. Eight blood pressure measurements were taken at least 2 minutes apart; two with standard AHA guidelines and six with modifications. Findings of this study suggest that elevation of the arm can have a significant effect on both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Two modifications, talking and placing the arm beside the trunk, raised the diastolic pressure. However, some modifications did not have a statistically significant effect. Techniques used to take blood pressures with an automatic device can have a significant effect on the readings.