Full RecliningReclining SofasRoom SofasSofas ChairsLiving Room SofaLiving RoomsArms GodbySofa NoblesvilleNoblesville CarmelForwardOffering a clean and more stationary type of look, the Jenna Full Reclining Sofa provides not only style and comfort, but the surprise of the reclining function!Blood pressure monitoring is an essential component of medical care, as this vital sign is checked at nearly every doctor’s appointment and monitored regularly while in the hospital. As the goal is to achieve target blood pressure levels, the monitoring technique is essential to get right. For accurate diagnosis and management of high blood pressure and blood pressure-related conditions, monitoring of this vital sign needs to be done using recommended body positions -- whether blood pressure is checked while sitting, lying down or standing. Blood pressure measurements are typically recorded as two numbers -- the systolic and diastolic pressure -- with a slash in between, such as 120/80. The American Heart Association defines normal blood pressure as a systolic pressure less than 120 and diastolic pressure less than 80.
Systolic pressure -- the top number -- represents the force of the blood on the artery walls as the heart contracts. The bottom number is the diastolic pressure, which represents the force of the blood as the heart rests in between beats. Three common positions are used when taking a person’s blood pressure -- sitting in a chair, lying in bed or standing, and each of these positions can provide different blood pressure readings. Medical professionals often check blood pressure when you are sitting in a chair, as your arm is supported at heart level -- for instance, as the arm rests on a table. For this body position, the American Heart Association recommends that you sit comfortably with your back supported, with both feet flat on the floor. If these guidelines aren’t followed, your blood pressure reading may be impacted. For example, according to a December 2004 article in “Hypertension,” if your back is not supported, the diastolic pressure may be increased by 6 points. In addition, the systolic pressure may be increased from 2 to 8 points if your legs are crossed.
Blood pressures that are checked in an emergency department or hospital are often done when you are in a supine position, or when lying flat on your back. According to the report in “Hypertension,” it is widely accepted that the supine position provides a diastolic reading about 5 points lower compared to a sitting position. Alternatively, the systolic pressure is often 8 points higher when monitored lying down compared to sitting. In clinical practice, it’s understood that values may be different when lying down, as long as the healthcare provider takes the body position into account when interpreting the results. Blood pressure may be also checked in the standing position, particularly in persons over the age of 70 who are taking blood pressure medications, or when a condition called orthostatic or postural hypotension is suspected. This condition is characterized by low blood pressure that occurs when you stand up after lying down or sitting. Symptoms include dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting.
Standing blood pressure measurements are typically lower compared those checked in the sitting or supine positions, so a comparison of readings in these different positions is useful for diagnosing this condition. In addition, standing blood pressure may be checked as a way for the doctor to assess if an adjustment to blood pressure medications runs the risk of dropping the blood pressure too low. Whether the blood pressure is checked while sitting, standing or lying down, the arm position is an important factor that can also affect blood pressure readings. In general, the arm needs to be at heart level and supported, and if lying down, a pillow should support the arm for optimal position. If the arm is above heart level, blood pressure readings may run lower than actual, and if the arm is below heart level, readings may run higher than actual. In addition, the arm needs to be relaxed -- and not tense -- for accurate readings. Blood pressure measurements help healthcare providers monitor high blood pressure and other medical conditions, so it is important this vital sign is measured using the correct technique, including proper body positions.
If you are self-monitoring your blood pressure, be sure to ask for education on the proper technique. While a single high blood pressure reading may not be cause for alarm, a pattern of readings above normal should be evaluated by your doctor, who can determine if and when medication needs to be initiated or adjusted. However, a systolic reading of 180 or above, or a diastolic reading of 110 or above indicates a blood pressure crisis and requires emergency medical treatment. Reviewed by: Kay Peck, MPH, RD Gain 2 pounds per week Gain 1.5 pounds per week Gain 1 pound per week Gain 0.5 pound per week Maintain my current weight Lose 0.5 pound per week Lose 1 pound per week Lose 1.5 pounds per week Lose 2 pounds per week A Normal Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Factors That Affect Heart Rate & Blood Pressure Causes of High Diastolic Pressure Medicines That Can Raise Blood Pressure Blood Pressure Levels for Men How to Check Someone's Blood Pressure Manually
Blood Pressure in an Infant Medicines That Lower Diastolic Blood Pressure How to Lower Systolic Blood Pressure Naturally What Happens When Diastolic Blood Pressure Is High? How to Lower Diastolic Blood Pressure Naturally High Blood Presure After Exercise and Returning It to Normal About Systolic & Diastolic Blood Pressure During Exercise High & Low Blood Pressure Fluctuations How Does a Blood Pressure Cuff Work? What Are the Dangers of Low Blood Pressure? Complications When Blood Pressure Is 100 on the Bottom Level Milk Thistle & High Blood Pressure Why Does Diastolic Blood Pressure Stay the Same During Exercise? Causes of Low Diastolic PressureIt's important to know what to look for in a chair, and how its size and the support it provides will affect your comfort. It's well worth improving the way you get into and out of a chair; you may find a new sitting technique (see below) is all you need at the moment and you'll save yourself the expense of specialist seating.
A chair needs to give you support where you need it, and be just the right size for you. To give you proper support, the back rest will be angled very slightly backwards and will support the whole length of your back and your head, with padding at the bottom to support your lower back and at the top for your head. There are specialist back rests for people who need extra support. If you know you have problems with your back, it's wise to get an assessment. Arm rests need to support your arms below the elbow, without making you lift your shoulders. Cushions ought to be soft, but not too soft. If you can feel the frame of the chair through the cushion, then it is too soft, and you need a firmer one. If you're going to be sitting in the chair for a long time, you can get different pressure-relieving cushions. You can use a footstool or leg rest if you need to put your feet up. This ought to support the whole of your lower leg right down to your heel and will usually be at the same height as your seat.
If you find it hard to sit down or stand up, there are a few things you can do to help. You'll find it easier to sit down and stand up like this if the chair has hard wooden ends to the arm rests (sometimes called 'knuckles'), and gives you room to get your feet a little way under the seat. If you use a wheelchair, you can get a chair with drop arms so you can transfer in and out sideways. Don't try to use a walking frame or sticks when sitting down or getting up. You might pull them over, and fall down. The higher the seat, the easier it is to sit down and stand up. A high-seat chair is advisable. You can also get blocks to put under the legs to raise your existing chair. When chair raising blocks are used to get the height right where the original seat was too low, this is fine. But check the height - don't make the seat much higher than you need for sitting comfortably and supporting your legs. Avoid raising the level of a seat by putting another cushion on top - the arm and head rests might be in the wrong place, and the chair may become unsteady.