A sphygmomanometer is a medical instrument used to measure arterial blood

pressure. A sphygmomanometer consists of a pump, dial, cuff and a valve. To measure blood
pressure, the cuff is wrapped around the arm and then inflated using the pump. The pressure
applied by the cuff closes off the brachial artery so that no blood flows through. The pressure
is then slowly released and sounds are detected using a stethoscope placed on the brachial
artery. Blood pressure readings are given as a fraction of two numbers, 120/80 mm Hg for
example. The first number is the systolic pressure; this is the blood pressure when the
ventricles of the heart are contracting. The number is recorded when a sound is heard for the
first time as pressure in the cuff is slowly relaxed. The second number is the diastolic
pressure, which is the blood pressure in between contractions when the heart is relaxed. This
number is recorded when the thumping of blood squeezing through the narrowed brachial
artery is no longer heard. It is important to note that multiple measurements of a persons
blood pressure must be made in order to gain an accurate reading.1

Types of Sphygmomanometers:
The two main kinds of sphygmomanometers are manometric and digital. The
traditional manometric type relies on the use of a stethoscope. The newer digital
sphygmomanometers do not a stethoscope and give digital readings. Digital
sphygmomanometers work by measuring the mean arterial pressure and calculating the
systolic and diastolic measurements from previously established measurements. The digital
instruments have been implicated in inaccurate measurements and more work is needed to
perfect them. 1