Blood pressure test

Blood pressure is measured with a sphygmomanometer. With a manual blood pressure monitor, a cuff is tied around the upper arm and inflated so as to momentarily stop the blood flow. When the air is released, the blood pressure is monitored. At this point, two measurements are taken. Systolic blood pressure is the reading when the heart contracts. Diastolic blood pressure is the reading when the heart relaxes between beats. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury(mm Hg). Hypertension or high blood pressure sometimes does not manifest in obvious symptoms and work as a silent killer. Electronic or digital blood pressure monitors use a microphone to detect the pulsing of blood through the artery. This monitor gives you a reading of pulse and blood pressure.