Question

Describe the working method and uses of sphygmomanometer.

Answer 1

A sphygmomanometer is an instrument which is used to measure the blood pressure.

Working:

The instrument is comprising of an inflatable air bladder cuff. With the help of the stethoscope, the blood pressure in the artery is measured. There is a blood pressure gradient in blood pressure in vessels farther from the heart. One of these farther arteries is called the brachial artery, which is named for its location within the upper arm. The brachial artery is the most frequent site used for measuring the blood pressure. The sphygmomanometer is usually graduated in units of millimeters of mercury, abbreviated as mm Hg. The cuff is tighten around the upper arm and the pressure is increased to fill the cuff with air. This blocks the flow of blood. The pressure is slowly released and the systolic and the diastolic pressure is checked. The first pressure recorded is systolic (120 mm Hg) and then the diastolic pressure (180 mm Hg).

Uses:

The instrument is used for the measurement of blood pressure in various conditions like pulsus alternans, pulsus paradoxus, hypertension, hypotension, arterial blockage or any other cardiovascular disorder.