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Pressure Measurement

The procedure that leads to measuring blood pressure is very easy, though the principles beyond it are complex.

The first operation to be done is to make the subject whose pressure will be measured sit; it is important that he is well rested and calm, since physical activity and emotions can vary blood pressure values.

Once the subject is sit, it is necessary to tie the cuff around his forearm, just above his elbow. It must be tight but not too much, since it mustn't block the bloodstream.

It is then necessary to put a phonendoscope on and place it between the cuff and the subject's skin.

It is then possible to start the measurement: the cuff must be inflated with the pump (the valve must be closed) until the manometer shows the maximum or a very high value. Auscultating with the phonendoscope, no sound must be heard, since the cuff must have blocked blood's flow.

The valve must then be open so that the pressure in the cuff decreases slowly. After some time, a rhytmic and dull sound will be heard; the pressure shown in the manometer is the systolic pressure. When the sound ceases, in the manometer the diastolic pressure is shown.

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