Background and Identification
Blood pressure monitors (also called sphygmomanometers, blood pressure meters, and blood pressure gauges) are medical equipment used to measure a person’s blood pressure. Blood pressure refers to the force of blood against arteries.
To obtain a blood pressure reading, the blood pressure cuff is typically placed around a person’s upper arm. The cuff is inflated to apply pressure and collapse the artery, and is then released. Blood pressure measurements consist of two numbers: systolic pressure (top number) over diastolic pressure (bottom number).
Systolic pressure measures the force of blood against artery walls during a heart beat. Diastolic pressure measures the force of blood against artery walls while the heart is at rest between two beats.
Additional Information
American Heart Association: Understanding Blood Pressure Readings