Overview

• An Australian team led by Alta Schutte published findings in Hypertension showing that common positioning mistakes distort home blood-pressure results.
• The analysis reviewed images from 11 popular stock-photo banks and identified not supporting the back as the most frequent error.
• Correct technique includes sitting with the back against the chair, legs uncrossed, feet flat, the arm supported at heart level, and the cuff on bare skin.
• Talking, crossing the legs, or misplacing the arm can shift readings enough to provide false reassurance or trigger an incorrect diagnosis.
• Argentine guidance cited in the coverage classifies values under 130/80 mmHg as non‑hypertensive and readings above 140/90 mmHg as hypertensive, underscoring the importance of accurate measurements.