People who have high blood pressure when lying on their back are at increased risk of cardiovascular complications.
- Adults who have high blood pressure while lying on their back have an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or premature death.
- These risks are ultimately similar to people with high blood pressure in all positions.
- Researchers warn that if blood pressure is only measured when people are sitting upright, the risk of cardiovascular disease may go undetected.
People who have high blood pressure while lying on their backs are at increased risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure or premature death, new research suggests. It was presented at the professional gathering “American Heart Associations Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2023″ which was held in Boston from September 7 to 10.
Hypertension: high blood pressure lying down is not good for the heart
To better understand the impact of body positions on heart health, researchers examined the records of 11,369 adults from a longitudinal study, called Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC). They analyzed blood pressure data from volunteers taken regularly over an average period of 25 to 28 years.
The results revealed that 16% of participants who did not have high blood pressure when seated, had it when lying on their backs. Additionally, 74% of people had high blood pressure, both when sitting and lying down. Compared to volunteers who never had a blood pressure greater than or equal to 130/80 mm Hg, individuals who exceeded this level both sitting and lying down had a 1.6 times higher risk of developing coronary heart disease, a risk 1.83 times higher risk of having heart failure, 1.86 times higher risk of stroke, 1.43 times higher overall risk of premature death, and 2.18 times higher risk of dying from coronary disease.
“Participants who had high blood pressure while lying down but not while sitting had similar elevated risks to participants who had high blood pressure while sitting and lying down.”specify the authors of the study in a communicated. They also have an increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure or premature death.
HTA: it must be measured in several positions
The results of this study highlight the importance of measuring blood pressure in multiple positions. “If blood pressure is only measured when people are sitting upright, the risk of cardiovascular disease may go undetected if it is not also measured when they are lying on their backs.”warns the main author of the work, Duc M. Giaoresearcher and 4th year medical student at Harvard Medical School from Boston.
But why can blood pressure vary depending on people’s position? “The autonomic nervous system regulates blood pressure in different body positions. However, gravity can cause blood to pool while sitting or upright, and the body is sometimes unable to properly regulate blood pressure while lying, sitting, and standing, the authors noted.note the authors.
