Blood pressure readings are often distorted due to skipped steps in measurement, such as sitting posture, arm positioning, recent caffeine intake, or talking during the process. These factors can produce readings higher or lower than normal, highlighting the need for precise procedures to assess cardiovascular health accurately.

“To make meaningful improvements in cardiovascular health, we need to screen and treat hypertension correctly,” said Tammy Brady, a pediatric nephrologist at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

Accurate blood pressure readings are critical for preventing heart attacks, strokes, and other life-threatening conditions. Guidelines from the American Heart Association recommend that patients sit with both feet on the ground, legs uncrossed, back straight, and arms supported on a surface. The cuff should be positioned over a bare arm at heart level, and distractions like talking or using a phone should be avoided.

The World Health Organisation reports that 1.28 billion adults worldwide have hypertension, with 46% unaware of their condition.

Last month, an international study led by the University of Sydney and University College London suggested that even five minutes of daily physical activity, such as walking uphill or stair climbing, could significantly reduce blood pressure. Researchers estimate that replacing 20-27 minutes of sedentary behavior with exercise can lead to clinically meaningful reductions in blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular disease incidence by 28%.

(Inputs from IANS)