How Does A Blood Pressure Monitor Work?

Owning a blood pressure monitor is a healthy choice, but do you know how it works? Check this article to understand the cool mechanism behind it.

Quick Summary

• All blood pressure monitors will have three parts: a cuff to restrict blood flow, a mechanism to detect, and a display to project the final result.
• The manual one uses a mercury manometer which responds in reference to your blood pressure variation, while the automatic one uses an electronic chip-based sensor.
• Both of the machines work with the same mechanism, but the automatic one will be more convenient for home use.

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a prevalent health condition that can have severe consequences such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney diseases.

Approximately 17.9% of all deaths worldwide are due to cardiovascular disease; coronary heart disease, caused by the build-up of plaque in the heart’s arteries, is the most common.

Regular monitoring of your blood pressure using a home blood pressure monitor can help you identify any changes and take appropriate steps to manage it, whether it be through lifestyle changes or adjusting medication.

By keeping track of your blood pressure, you and your healthcare provider can also evaluate the effectiveness of your current treatment plan. Owning a blood pressure monitor is, therefore, an important choice.

But do you know how this machine works? Because if you don’t, you won’t be able to figure out how accurate the blood pressure monitor you are using is.

In this article, you will learn the basic working and nuances of the machine, which will help you buy the right blood pressure monitor from a pile of products in the market.

Without pouring more here, let us jump into the crux of this article.

How Does A Blood Pressure Monitor Work?

A blood pressure monitor, also known as a sphygmomanometer, works by measuring the force of blood against the walls of your blood vessels as your heart pumps.

This measurement is known as blood pressure, and it is expressed as two numbers: systolic pressure (the higher number) and diastolic pressure (the lower number).

You might be familiar with manual and automatic versions, where the former is seen in hospital setups while the latter is mostly for home use.

Manual

Manual blood pressure monitors use a stethoscope and a cuff that is secured around the biceps. The cuff is inflated using a manual pump until it is tight enough to stop blood flow in the brachial artery, the main artery in the upper arm.

The healthcare provider or the person using the monitor then listens through the stethoscope for the sound of blood flowing through the artery, which is called the Korotkoff sound.

The healthcare provider or the person using the monitor then deflates the cuff gradually until the sound of the blood flow disappears, and the pressure at that point is the diastolic pressure.

Systolic pressure is the pressure at which the sound of blood flow first appears when the cuff is deflated.

Automatic

On the other hand, automatic blood pressure monitors use an inflatable cuff and an electronic sensor to measure blood pressure.

Like manual, the cuff is wrapped biceps area of the arm and inflated until it is tight enough to stop the flow of blood in the brachial artery.

The electronic sensor then detects the pressure at which the blood begins to flow again and records the systolic pressure, and again when blood flow stops and records the diastolic pressure.

Both blood pressure monitors are accurate, but automatic blood pressure monitors are more convenient and easier to use.

Also, it is always recommended to read the instruction manual from the manufacturer or refer internet to learn how to check blood pressure at home.

Manual Or Automatic: Which Is The Best?

The choice between a manual or automatic blood pressure monitor ultimately depends on your personal preferences and needs.

Manual blood pressure monitors tend to be more durable and may be preferred by healthcare professionals who need to take blood pressure readings in a clinical setting. They also tend to be less expensive than automatic monitors.

However, manual monitors require more skill to use, and the readings may be less accurate if not used correctly.

On the other hand, automatic blood pressure monitors are generally more convenient and easy to use. There are digital versions, which sport a display for the end user to immediately read the value.

Even in a hospital setup where the patient’s day-to-day blood pressure has to be tracked, an automatic ambulatory blood pressure monitor model is used.

They do not require the skill of a healthcare professional to take a reading, and they provide a digital reading which is more accurate and reliable.

They are also more portable and can be used at home, which can be more convenient for some people, but you must be aware of what to look for in a blood pressure monitor to get the right product.

Ultimately, both manual and automatic monitors can be accurate when used properly, so the best choice depends on your individual needs, preferences, and budget.

Which Are Some Of Recommended Blood Pressure Monitors?

There are many blood pressure monitors on the market, but the Oxiline Pressure X Pro, CheckMe BP2, and QardioArm stand out for their accuracy and convenient features.

Overall, these three blood pressure monitors offer accurate readings, convenient features, and stylish designs, and here is a guide on where to buy a blood pressure monitor.

Conclusion

 In a nutshell, the inflatable cuff wrapped around the arm will temporarily restrict the blood flow and resumes it. When blood flow starts, either it is detected electronically or using a stethoscope.

Both manual and automatic blood pressure monitors are available, each with their own advantages. Manual monitors are durable, affordable, and can be used by healthcare professionals.

Automatic monitors are convenient and easy to use, with the added benefit of providing a digital reading which is more accurate and reliable. The choice between a manual or automatic monitor ultimately depends on your personal preferences, needs, and budget.

It is important to check with your healthcare professional before using any blood pressure monitor to ensure that you are using it correctly and interpreting the results correctly.

It is also advised to have a word with your insurance agent to see if the blood pressure monitor is covered under the insurance.

Regular blood pressure monitoring can help identify potential issues early and allow for prompt treatment to minimize the risk of serious health problems associated with hypertension.