The effect of measurement position on brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity

Arterial stiffness measurements are primarily used for the early detection of arteriosclerosis. Methods and devices that can easily measure arterial stiffness at home are in demand. We propose a simple method for measuring brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) at home using a reclining chair and investigate the effects of positioning on baPWV measurement. We measured baPWV in 50 healthy men (21–70 years) in seven different measurement positions, including the supine position, sitting, sitting with the knees flexed at 45°, sitting with the knees flexed at 0°, reclining at 37°, reclining at 50°, and standing. BaPWV was significantly lower in the supine position (P < 0.01) than in the other positions. It was significantly higher in the sitting position (P < 0.01) than in the reclining position (37°). No changes in baPWV were seen changing the knee flexion angle alone while sitting. Strong correlations were also observed between baPWV in the supine position and that in other positions. We showed that baPWV in the supine position can be calculated by making corrections to baPWV measured in the sitting position at a reclining angle. Utilizing this corrected value would allow easy measurement at home using a reclining chair.