There are many types sphygmomanometers, but in general they all include an inflatable rubber bladder covered by a fabric sleeve, and a pressure measurement system connected to the cuff, either in a column of mercury or a metal diaphragm system. Sphygmomanometers are complemented with a normal stethoscope stethoscope or which may be included in the unit or be a separate item.

To take the pressure, sit quietly 5 minutes, without smoking or drinking coffee with an empty bladder.

1. Put your left arm if right handed and vice versa at the height of the heart, resting on a table or chair arm.
2. Put the cuff around the bare arm, between shoulder and elbow.
3. Place the bell of the stethoscope in the elbow, just below the cuff sphygmomanometer.
4. Pump the bulb rapidly until the pressure reaches 30 mm Hg more than the maximum expected.
5. Deflate the cuff slowly, causing the pressure to fall 2-3 mm Hg per second. Listen to the sound pulse as the pressure falls. When the heartbeat becomes audible, note the pressure, which is the maximum or systolic pressure. Follow deflating. When you hear the heartbeat stops, note the pressure again, which is the minimum or diastolic pressure.
6. Repeat the process at least once more to verify the readings.

Currently there are electronic sphygmomanometers, more expensive but easier to use because they use a stethoscope to take the pressure. An electronic chip makes the task of detecting the pulse, and a digital reader reads the pressure. The reliability of these systems depends on variables that sometimes make it difficult to measure and therefore errors. Care.

Hypertension is increasing pressure numbers (blood) pressure above certain values that change with age.

Usually said that a person has hypertension where three measurements at random for a month, their values are higher than 140 mmHg systolic blood pressure (SBP or commonly the “high”) and 90 mmHg diastolic blood pressure (DBP or “low”).

The Hypertension is not a disease in itself but is a risk factor for various diseases such as myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction or stroke.

It is important to have controlled blood pressure numbers to avoid different complications of disease and risk for suffering another. There are 2 types of hypertension:

* Essential hypertension: the most common and that is 90% of the population
* Secondary hypertension: to some underlying disease (pej pheochromocytoma)