How does measuring blood pressure work

Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer , or blood pressure monitor. The monitor measures two pressures: systolic , and diastolic. Systolic pressure is higher, occurring when your heart beats and pushes blood through the arteries, and diastolic pressure is measured when your heart is resting and filling with blood. So, for example, your blood pressure might be over Blood pressure monitors may be manual or digital, but home monitors are usually digital and the whole measurement process is automatic apart from placing the cuff around your arm.

The cuff then inflates until it fits tightly around your arm, cutting off your blood flow, and then the valve opens to deflate it. As the cuff reaches your systolic pressure, blood begins to flow around your artery. In a traditional analogue sphygmomanometer, the blood sounds are detected by the doctor using a stethoscope. As the cuff continues to deflate, it reaches your diastolic pressure, and the vibration stops. The meter senses this, and records the pressure again.

Taking readings requires some thought and preparation, though it will soon become second nature. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Video: How to measure blood pressure using a manual monitor. Products and services. Manual, or aneroid, equipment includes a cuff, an attached pump, a stethoscope and a gauge.

Note when you no longer hear the beating sounds. This is your diastolic pressure. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Alexis O. The doctor continues releasing the pressure on the cuff and listens until there is no sound. That number 80 indicates the pressure in the system when the heart is relaxed diastolic reading.

If the numbers are too high, it means that the heart is having to work too hard because of restrictions in the pipes. Certain hormones, like adrenaline which is released when you are under stress cause certain blood vessels to constrict, and this raises your blood pressure -- if you are under constant stress, your blood pressure goes up, and it means that your heart has to work too hard.

Other things that can increase the blood pressure include deposits in the pipes and a loss of elasticity as the blood vessels age. High blood pressure can cause the heart to fail from working too hard , or it can cause kidney failure from too much pressure.

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