| Blood pressure is of massive importance in the | | | | get an accurate reading of blood pressure. Different |
| medical world. Correctly monitoring this important | | | | machines accomplish this in two basic ways. The first |
| aspect of the body can indicate a patient's overall | | | | method uses a hand pump. This is common amongst |
| health and is necessary for many different types of | | | | the portable models. They have a small rubber ball, |
| operations and procedures. High blood pressure or | | | | which, when squeezed, forces air into the cuff. Other |
| conversely low blood pressure can also be symptoms | | | | models use a hydraulic air pump, which does the |
| of other more serious disorders so it's important to get | | | | process automatically. Either model will have an |
| accurate readings in order to detect such future | | | | automatic release that will vent all the air when finished |
| troubles. Using blood pressure equipment is fortunately | | | | or provide an emergency release if there's a problem |
| very simple to do and many devices require little more | | | | with the cuff. |
| than a flick of a switch. However, smaller and portable | | | | Finally, the results of this process are read in a digital or |
| models ask a little more of the operator, but can easily | | | | analog read out. These parts indicate the relative |
| and cheaply be used by patients to keep tabs on their | | | | pressures of the circulatory system and their accurate |
| health. | | | | reading as well as their relation to health characteristics |
| Essentially, these machines, regardless of their specific | | | | will determine the patient's overall health. |
| form, will come with the same basic pieces. The first | | | | There's few basic styles that you'll see as a medical |
| of which is the cuff. This device wraps around the | | | | professional or as a patient, either in or out. The most |
| patient's arm and squeezes tightly to get a reading on | | | | common, seen in doctor's offices and even grocery |
| the blood pressure. | | | | stores, is the pumped model that is electronic. These |
| These units are adjustable using Velcro or have an | | | | products are usually in the form of a designed chair |
| expansive size. Most portable models will be | | | | made explicitly for this purpose. Similar wall mounted |
| adjustable. This should be wrapped around the upper | | | | models are also around, which work the same way, |
| arm just above the elbow and strapped tightly, but not | | | | but are usually found in hospitals to only be used by |
| so tight be constricting. | | | | doctors. Finally, portable models are available that can |
| Once the cuff is strapped, it needs to be inflated to | | | | be carried in a bag with little trouble. |