Thoughts from a Lab Rat

It happens a lot. Even I get disqualified occasionally. But a good 20% of disqualifications are for out-of-range blood pressure. Every study has certain ranges that everything must fall into. The blood pressure ranges are usually 90/50 to 140/90. The first number is systolic and the second number is diastolic. The pulse is usually 40 to 50 over 90. For a detailed explanation of blood pressure, click here for the wikipedia entry. Certain studies may have lower or higher cut-offs depending on the sponsor requirements.

There is a lot of talk about the machines that some clinics use, being poorly calibrated because the only time they have out-of-range blood pressure is when they use that machine. While it is true that machine measurement is not the most accurate method, it is considered clinically reliable, hence why they are used. However, most people who get disqualified are are only a few points over or under which is not clinically significant. I have a problem with getting stressed out. I mean hey, I trying to get into a study so my stress level is high. Once I get into a study and my mind knows this, my blood pressure is normal, middle range. It’s only at screenings and check-in.

There are a few tips to help improve your blood pressure. First of all, make sure you use your bare arm. Sleeves can give abnormal results. Breath deeply. Don’t look at the machine or the clock. If your body knows when it’s going to run, it’s going to tense. Keep your feet flat on the floor. Wear loose fitting clothes. Don’t wear anything that will constrict your waist. Rest the arm that you use as high as possible. The lower your arm is from your heart, the harder it has to pump to circulate blood. Don’t think about it. That’s kinda hard, but think about something else. If you have to get a repeat, breathe deeper and don’t stress out.

If you are disqualified for out-of-range blood pressure, unless it was very high, you can still screen for another study at a later date. Occasionally, they may suggest that you see your physician to follow up. While it is unfortunate to get disqualified, there is not much you can do. Sometimes your body is stressed out, sometimes you get a bad reading. But once the clinic runs the tests, the results are final. Just relax and don’t panic.