A Blood pressure monitor serves to determine the blood pressure values. The upper and lower arterial pressure are displayed.
What is a blood pressure monitor?
Medical professionals also refer to a blood pressure monitor as Sphygmomanometer or Sphygmomanometer. What is meant is a device for measuring blood pressure values. The measurement is made externally either on the wrist or on the upper arm. The device indicates the systolic (upper) and diastolic (lower) pressure. With the help of a blood pressure monitor it is possible to determine the pressure of a blood vessel. The blood pressure is the pressure that exists in the arteries.
With every heartbeat, fluctuations occur between the diastolic pressure, i.e. the minimum value, and the systolic pressure, the maximum value. The developer of indirect blood pressure measurement was the Italian doctor Scipione Riva-Rocci (1867-1937) in 1896, whose method is still known today as Riva-Rocci (RR).
In the past, blood pressure monitors were filled with mercury. This rose in the frame of a column when the cuff of the device was inflated. This is how the blood pressure was displayed. The unit of measurement, millimeters of mercury (mmHg), is derived from this.
Shapes, types & types
When it comes to blood pressure monitors, it is important to distinguish between traditional and digital devices. With the classic measuring device, the user places a corresponding cuff around his upper arm, directly above the elbow. Alternatively, a measurement on the thigh above the knee is also possible.
The user increases the cuff pressure by pumping until it reaches the presumed systolic value. The pressure is then slowly released again, which leads to turbulent noises, which are also known as Korotkoff noises. In this way, the doctor can use a stethoscope to determine the diastolic and systolic arterial pressure values.
Nowadays, modern digital blood pressure monitors are usually used. These devices are placed around the upper arm or the inner wrist and are easy to use. The cuff and measuring device form a unit.
The measurement takes place either semi-automatically or fully automatically. With the semi-automatic measurement, the cuff is inflated by the user, while with the fully automatic measurement, the cuff is inflated by the measuring device. An automatic blood pressure monitor makes it easier for the patient to check the blood pressure independently.
Once the user has put on the blood pressure monitor, he presses a button with which he starts the measurement. The cuff is automatically inflated by a battery. When the air is deflated, a sensor can register blood pressure and heart rate. With more complex blood pressure monitors it is even possible to determine cardiac arrhythmias.
Another form of blood pressure measuring device is the invasive measuring device, which is used for intra-arterial blood pressure measurement. These devices are primarily used by intensive care medicine. In this way, automatic blood pressure monitoring is possible.
Structure & functionality
A manual blood pressure monitor consists of a cuff that has a rubber pump ball that is used to inflate it. Another important part is the pressure gauge. This shows the current blood pressure. The user places the blood pressure cuff around his upper arm and inflates it with the help of the rubber ball. The air can gradually be released from the cuff via a valve. The user reads the respective pressure on the manometer. With a manual blood pressure monitor, reading is only possible on the upper arm.
In contrast to this, with a fully automatic measuring device a measurement can be made not only on the upper arm, but also on the wrist. However, wrist blood pressure monitors are less accurate. For this reason, they are primarily used for domestic use. So these devices can be purchased inexpensively. The functional principles of wrist and upper arm blood pressure monitors are almost identical.
Normally the measurement takes place in an oscillatory manner. The device determines the blood pressure values using vibrations. This passes the wall of the blood vessel on to the cuff.
As part of a fully automatic blood pressure measurement, it is sufficient to attach the blood pressure cuff correctly. Everything else is then automatically taken over by the measuring device. Most of the fully automatic blood pressure monitors also have a measurement memory. With its help, the last measurements made can be saved.
Medical & health benefits
A blood pressure monitor has great medical benefits. It is extremely important to recognize high blood pressure in good time. High blood pressure puts you at increased risk of a life-threatening heart attack or stroke.
Although one in three adults will suffer from high blood pressure at some point in their lives, very few will notice it. With regular blood pressure measurement, however, it is possible to recognize this danger at an early stage and to undertake appropriate treatment.
Having your own blood pressure monitor for home use also offers the advantage of not having to go to a doctor or pharmacy for every measurement. In addition, the patient is always informed about his blood pressure values.
The blood pressure values are considered normal if the systolic pressure does not exceed 140 mmHg and the diastolic pressure is below 90 mmHg. If the value is higher than 140/90 mmHg, the blood pressure is too high.
The blood pressure is rated too low if the value is less than 100 mmHg. The diastolic value is less than 60 to 65 mmHg. The ideal blood pressure value is given as 120/80 mmHg, but it also depends on the constitution of the individual.
In order to ensure that the blood pressure measurement is as precise as possible, the patient must not speak during the measurement process and must sit still. Furthermore, the blood pressure monitor should be put on exactly according to the manufacturer's instructions.
