Arm Position and Blood Pressure Measurement Accuracy During Pregnancy
Accurate blood pressure measurement is essential during pregnancy, as blood pressure readings guide clinical decisions related to the diagnosis and management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Clinical guidelines recommend measuring blood pressure with the arm supported at heart level; however, in routine practic
| Condition(s) | Pregnancy, Blood Pressure Measurement in Pregnancy, Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy |
|---|---|
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | NA |
| Study type | Interventional |
| Summary | Accurate blood pressure measurement is essential during pregnancy, as blood pressure readings guide clinical decisions related to the diagnosis and management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Clinical guidelines recommend measuring blood pressure with the arm supported at heart level; however, in routine practice, blood pressure is often measured with the arm in non-standard positions. This study aims to evaluate how different arm positions affect blood pressure measurements in pregnant women. Pregnant women attending a high-risk pregnancy clinic will undergo blood pressure measurements with the arm placed in several commonly used positions, including supported at heart level, supported on the lap, and unsupported at the side. Each participant will have multiple measurements taken d |
| Who can participate | Inclusion Criteria: * Pregnant women aged 18 to 55 years * Singleton or multiple viable intrauterine pregnancy * Gestational age corresponding to first, second, or third trimester at the time of enrollment * Ability to sit upright comfortably for the duration of blood pressure measurements * Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Preexisting significant cardiac disease (e.g., arrhythmias, congenital heart disease, severe valvular disease) * Chronic kidney disease defined as serum creatinine ≥1.5 mg/dL at enrollment * Significant upper limb or shoulder conditions that may affect arm positioning or blood pressure measurement (e.g., lymphedema, fractures, prior surgery, arteriovenous fistula) * Neurological or musculoskeletal cond |
| Ages | 18 Years to 55 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Accepts healthy volunteers | Yes |
| Lead sponsor | Sheba Medical Center |
| Locations | Ramat Gan, Israel |
| Start date | 2026-04-12 |
| NCT ID | NCT07405723 |
| Official listing | https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07405723 |