Blood pressure has been traditionally, and still is measured with a device called a sphygmomanometer in most medical settings. That the real name for the blood pressure cuff that the doctor or nurse uses in the office. It measures your blood pressure in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
You’ve probably seen it as an inflatable cuff is wrapped around the arm. Its then inflated to squeeze the blood vessels in your arm. The doctor or nurse then uses a stethoscope to listen to the pulse as they slowly release the pressure. While most people don’t know what to listen for the nurse can get tell what your blood pressure is by listening to the sound made when the pressure is released.
The problem with the shygmomanometer is that it takes two hands to operate it. And so, its nearly impossible to take your own blood pressure accurately with one. In the past 20 years, companies are now making automatic blood pressure cuffs that can be used in your home. When they are applied correctly, they are just as accurate as those that your doctor uses.