How do you confirm blood pressure?

To confirm blood pressure, an inflatable cuff is placed around the arm and inflated.

Methods for Blood Pressure Confirmation

The process to confirm blood pressure readings involves the following:

Cuff Placement: An inflatable cuff is typically placed around the upper arm.
Inflation: The cuff is inflated using either a machine or a manual hand pump. This inflation briefly restricts blood flow.
Measurement: As the cuff deflates, a device measures the blood pressure.
- In an automated blood pressure measurement, a machine records the reading directly.

Here's a step-by-step look:

Positioning: The individual should be seated comfortably with their arm supported at heart level.
Cuff Application: A correctly sized inflatable cuff is wrapped snugly around the upper arm, usually about an inch above the elbow.
Inflation: The cuff is inflated to a point where it briefly stops blood flow in the artery. This is achieved by either pressing a button on an automatic device or manually squeezing a bulb on a manual device.
Deflation & Measurement: Air is slowly released from the cuff while the device measures systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels.
Recording: The blood pressure reading is displayed on the device.
Interpretation: The recorded values are interpreted to assess the individual’s blood pressure status, such as normal, elevated, or high blood pressure.

Automated Blood Pressure Monitors: These devices inflate and deflate automatically and digitally display readings. They are often preferred for their ease of use.
Manual Devices (Sphygmomanometers): These require manual inflation with a hand pump and use a stethoscope to listen for the blood flow sounds. A trained person usually measures using manual devices.