Sphygmomanometer

M easuring blood pressure is a staple of any office visit, and a blood pressure monitor is a key diagnostic tool for nurses, doctors and other medical professionals. But its proper name isn’t a blood pressure cuff at all — rather, it’s a sphygmomanometer. In terms of its ubiquity and importance, a blood pressure monitor ranks right up there with a stethoscope on the list of must-have Here, we’ll briefly explain what a sphygmomanometer is and how it works, as well as the meaning behind its long, complex name. Then we’ll break down the two main types of sphygmomanometers (manual and digital) and how to measure blood pressure using one. We’ll then delve into the history of measuring blood pressure and explain how, in less than 300 years, we advanced from shooting blood up a glass tube (yes, really) to using a device that automatically computes blood pressure for us. What Is a Sphygmomanometer? A sphygmomanometer is a device for measuring blood pressure, and it goes by several different names, including blood pressure meter, blood pressure monitor, and blood pressure gauge. A sphygmomanometer consists of an inflatable cuff, a measuring unit and a device to inflate the cuff, usually a manually operated rubber bulb or an electrically operated pump. The cuff is used to collapse and then release the artery beneath it as the practitioner measures at what pressure the blood begins to flow and at what pressure the blood flows unimpeded. Blood pressure refers to the amount of force ap...

NurseFocus.net is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Knowing how to use a sphygmomanometer to properly check blood pressure is important. The pandemic and the forced lockdown meant that sales of sphygmomanometers for home use soured during 2020. The bottom line is, more people are using sphygmomanometers to test their own blood pressure and more questions are arising on exactly how to use them. So that’s what we look into today. I’ll take it step by step, however. First, we’ll look at what a Sphygmomanometer is, how it works, and how to use it. Most important of all, we’ll cover what the readings actually mean. So if you’re ready, let’s jump in. A sphygmomanometer is a small instrument that measures blood pressure. There are various components to the Sphygmomanometer. One part is an inflatable rubber cuff, which wraps around the patient’s arm. Connected to the cuff is a measuring device that will show the cuff’s pressure as the reading is taken. A third component is a small (normally rubber) bulb that is used to inflate the cuff. Finally, a release valve is used to allow air to escape the cuff. A stethoscope is also used to listen to arterial blood flow sounds as the cuff is applied to the patient. How a Sphygmomanometer works to take readings As your heart beats, blood is forced through your arteries. This rise in pressure...

The first clinically applicable sphygmomanometer was invented in 1881 by Austrian physician Karl Samuel Ritter von Basch. Von Basch introduced the aneroid manometer, which uses a round dial that provides a pressure reading. The pressure is indicated by a needle, which is deflected by air from an inflation device (e.g., a diaphragm or Bourdon tube).

Getting a blood pressure reading requires a monitor (sphygmomanometer) with a measuring unit and cuff. A manual device will also include a stethoscope. People can buy one or do a test at a pharmacy or doctor’s office. Read on to learn how to measure blood pressure correctly and how to interpret the results. Share on Pinterest Onfokus/Getty Images Blood pressure is the term for the amount of force that the blood places on the blood vessels in the body. A blood pressure reading includes The upper number, called the systolic pressure, measures the pressure inside the arteries as the heart contracts to pump blood. The lower number, called the diastolic pressure, is the pressure inside the arteries as the heart rests between beats. According to the • high • • consuming • low levels of physical activity • health conditions, such as • having a diet that is high in • Accurate blood pressure readings are important, as high blood pressure often causes Doctors use either electronic or mechanical machines to measure blood pressure in a clinic. In some cases, they may recommend monitoring and recording blood pressure at home. Monitoring blood pressure at home usually requires a machine that insurance may or may not cover. A doctor may recommend monitoring blood pressure at home if a person needs to know their blood pressure at specific times of the day or after taking certain medications. It is possible to take blood pressure without using a machine, but it is more difficult. Share on ...