How to Measure Blood Pressure: Monitoring & Manual Checks

Accurately measuring blood pressure using a manual sphygmomanometer requires specific technique to avoid common errors and ensure reliable monitoring results.

Pharmacist taking patient s blood pressure

How to Measure Blood Pressure Using a Sphygmomanometer

Published Aug,14 2017 | By Macy Lucas

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects an estimated one-third of Americans age 20 or older, according to the National Institutes of Health. Hypertension is defined as a blood pressure of 140 over 90 millimeters of mercury or higher. One or both numbers may be above normal with hypertension.