The Effects of Crossed Leg on Blood Pressure Measurement

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It is clear that numerous factors influence an individual's blood pressure measurement. However, guidelines for accurately measuring blood pressure inconsistently specify that the patient should keep feet flat on the floor. OBJECTIVE: To determine if the crossing of a leg at the knee during blood pressure measurement has an effect on the patient's blood pressure reading. METHODS: A convenience sample of 100 hypertensive male subjects was selected from various outpatient clinics in an inner-city acute-care veterans' hospital. The first 50 subjects positioned their feet flat on the floor while their blood pressure was measured. After 3 minutes, the blood pressure was measured again with the subject's leg crossed at the knee. The procedure was reversed for the second 50 subjects. RESULTS: The results indicated that both systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased significantly (p < .0001) with the crossed leg position. CONCLUSION: When blood pressure is measured, patients should be instructed to have feet flat on the floor to eliminate a potential source of error.