Traditionally, blood pressure was measured by an aneroid sphygmomanometer, comprised of a cuff that can be inflated with a rubber bulb, and a mechanical meter for measuring pressure. The cuff is inflated until arterial blood flow is cut off entirely. A stethoscope is placed on the patient’s brachial artery at the elbow; the practitioner slowly releases the pressure in the cuff. Upon hearing a whooshing or pounding sound, indicating the point at which blood begins to flow in the artery, the practitioner records the pressure indicated by the meter. This measurement reflects the systolic pressure. The pressure at
