What are Manual Blood Pressure Monitors?

Manual blood pressure monitors are devices which are used to gauge a patient’s blood pressure by hand. They are comprised of an inflatable cuff with a tube and bulb attached to one end. On the face of the cuff is a gauge which displays the patient’s blood pressure readings. Doctors occasionally still use manual blood pressure monitors, although battery operated models are becoming more popular. Patients may also learn to use a manual monitor at home to keep close track of hypertension or hypotension.

The use of manual blood pressure monitors is slowly being replaced by more modern battery or electricity operated models. These inflate on their own and display a digital readout of the results. Patients may get the most use from the manual variety since they are easy to use and less expensive. This makes them ideal for using in the home when blood pressure has to be monitored closely and often. A doctor should always give instructions on their proper use.

Most commonly, manual blood pressure monitors require the use of a stethoscope. The bulb at one end of the monitor is pumped repeatedly in order to fill the cuff with air, and the stethoscope is placed between the cuff and the arm. Once it is fully inflated, the air is let out slowly and the doctor or patient listens carefully for a clicking sound. The number displayed on the gauge when the sound first appears is the systolic pressure. Gauge readings when the sounds stop is the diastolic reading.

Other methods for reading results with manual blood pressure monitors include feeling certain pulse points or reading the pulsing rhythms displayed on the pressure gauge. These are often less accurate when one is untrained to read them, so patients should be taught all viable options for reading the gauge prior to taking it home.

A single blood pressure reading is not necessarily indicative of a medical condition. Blood pressure can fluctuate drastically over the course of a day or even over the span of only several minutes. One high reading doesn’t necessarily mean hypertension, as stress and other factors can artificially raise pressure for a short period of time. Readings over the course of several days or weeks are more accurate for the diagnosis of hypertension.

Patients using manual blood pressure monitors by themselves at home should report any troubling findings to their doctor. He or she will then probably check the blood pressure again and decide whether or not a condition is present. Although hypertension is the most common blood pressure related issue, hypotension — or low blood pressure — is also a dangerous condition. This may occur during times of serious illness or injury or when taking certain medications.