Comparison of the sit-up test and head-up tilt test for assessing blood pressure and hemodynamic responses in healthy young individuals

Objective

The sit-up test is used to assess orthostatic hypotension, without the use of a tilt table, in populations who are unable to stand. The primary objective of this study was to determine the differences in blood pressure and hemodynamic responses between the sit-up and head-up tilt tests. The secondary objective was to determine the hemodynamic responses related to changes in blood pressure during each test.

Methods

Nineteen healthy volunteers (nine males, aged 24.3 ± 2.4 years) underwent the sit-up and head-up tilt tests. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, and total peripheral resistance were measured.

Results

The increase in systolic blood pressure (15 ± 9 vs. 8 ± 8 mmHg) was greater, while the increase in heart rate (8 ± 5 vs. 12 ± 8 bpm) and reduction in stroke volume (−17 ± 10 vs. −21 ± 10 ml) were smaller during the sit-up test than during the head-up tilt test (P

Source: Blood Pressure Monitoring - March 8, 2022 Category: Cardiology Tags: Clinical Methods and Pathophysiology Source Type: research