Blood pressure is the measurement of the force that blood exerts on the blood vessels each time the heart beats. Blood pressure measurements are taken in doctors’ offices, clinics and hospitals and can even be taken at home. Several instruments can provide blood pressure readings.
Sphygmomanometer
Two types of sphygmomanometers may be used to measure blood pressure--manometric or digital. A manometric sphygmomanometer is the traditional blood pressure measuring device and requires the use of a stethoscope to obtain the blood pressure reading. Sphygmomanometers consist of four parts: a valve, a pump to inflate the cuff, a dial to read blood pressure and a cuff that fits around the arm. Digital sphygmomanometers are attached to digital blood pressure machines, requiring only the touch of a button to take a blood pressure reading. Manometric sphygmomanometers are available as handheld units, wall-mounted units and larger wheeled units that can be rolled from room to room.
Stethoscope
To take a blood pressure reading without a digital monitor, a stethoscope is required. A stethoscope is a piece of medical equipment with two earpieces connected by rubber tubing to a diaphragm. When placed on the body, a stethoscope allows the user to listen to heart, lung and bowel sounds, as well as the brachial pulse. When the stethoscope is placed against the brachial artery in the elbow, the user can listen for the pulse as the blood pressure cuff deflates.
Digital Devices
Many clinics and hospitals use digital blood pressure monitors. These monitors have various features; some even allow the machine to take blood pressure readings automatically at regular intervals. Digital monitors consist of a cuff, or digital sphygmomanometer, and a machine that displays the blood pressure reading. Digital monitors are also available for home blood pressure monitoring.
