Effect of Posture on the Plasma Cholesterol Level

Abstract

When the posture is changed from lying to standing for a quarter of an hour a mean increase of 12.9% in the level of plasma cholesterol results in normal subjects. A similar change occurs in the haematocrit and plasma protein levels, and, by inference, in all non-filterable elements of the blood. The reverse process occurs on lying down, though it takes rather longer. The significance of these findings is discussed especially with regard to serial readings during attempts to reduce the blood cholesterol level. © 1966, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.