Comparison of Different Methods of Obtaining Orthostatic Vital Signs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare two lying and standing procedures for measuring orthostatic vital signs. Thirty-five normotensive participants (mean age 21.6 years) participated in a randomized crossover study. Measures of blood pressure (BP), heart rate, and dizziness were collected at different lying and standing times. All subjects participated in a standardized walk paced at 4 miles per hour prior to lying. Using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc contrasts, the mean systolic BP differed between 5 and 10 minutes of lying (F = 21.33,p < .001) and the mean diastolic BP tended to differ between those time points (F = 5.23,p < .03). The mean standing systolic BP and dizziness rating were different between 0 and 2-minute intervals (F = 8.36,p < .01 andF = 7.15,p < .10). In normotensive participants following standardized exercise, orthostatic vital signs stabilized after lying 10 minutes.