Crossing legs effects BP?

[mouseynurse]

Hello everyone! Just thought I'd pick your brains for a minute... (my apologies if this is posted in the wrong section)

I was at my family dr. recently for a follow-up and the MA who took my vitals instructed me to uncross my legs before she took my BP. So here's my question, does crossing your legs actually have a measurable effect on BP?

I could understand uncrossing my legs if we were doing dopplers to evaluate blood flow to lower extremities, but this was just your typical run-of-the-mill follow-up appointment which had nothing to do with my BP anyway!

Also, just because I thought it was funny; my BP was 90's/40's. The MA was incredibly concerned about my 'low BP' and nearly ran for the dr. until I told her I typically run this 'low'. :)

[boushie87]

90/40 is pretty low in my opinion.. and of course crossing your legs affects BP. Learned that first few weeks in nursing school :) We are told to have the patient sit with feet flat on the floor for a few minutes before taking BP. No one does that of course

[ixchel]

I run that low (sometimes lower) and it's funny to see the reactions of the MAs. I had one ask me how I wasn't passed out in the floor. lol I'm little! I don't need it to be higher. Celebrate your BP!

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

Some of us just have low blood pressure. My lowest measured BP was 56/"not quite sure" (nurse's words, not mine!). When I'm not overweight, my "normal" is typically in the 80s or maybe 90s systolic. And yeah, I pass out if I stand up too quickly!