L’image du mois. Regards croisés sur la pression artérielle en position assise.

Prolonged standing or even sitting position can induce a fall in arterial blood pressure because of gravity that provokes a blood volume sequestration in lower limbs. Such a phenomenon may be associated with orthostatic dizziness or sometimes syncope. We present the image of a continuous monitoring using a Finometer® of systolic blood pressure and heart rate. Crossing legs while in sitting position allows immediate increase of arterial blood pressure. This pathophysiological mechanism explains why numerous people cross legs in sitting position, for instance during a prolonged meeting, in an auditorium or in a movie theater. This common phenomenon has potential diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic implications.