Measuring your blood pressure
Blood pressure monitors are available for the upper arm and the wrist. Each has its own pros and cons. They show the higher (systolic) and the lower (diastolic) blood pressure.
Manual blood pressure measurement
Traditional blood pressure devices consist of a cuff placed around the upper arm, a rubber bulb for inflating, and an analog pressure gauge. The bulb and gauge are connected to the cuff by tubes. A stethoscope is also needed for the measurement. After the cuff is fitted correctly on the upper arm, it is inflated using the rubber bulb. As the air is released, the blood pressure is detected by listening with the stethoscope for the Korotkoff sound (a turbulent, whooshing noise). From that point blood can flow through the vessel again. The turbulent sounds become audible and are noted as the systolic (upper) blood pressure. The diastolic (lower) value is the point at which the sounds disappear and the blood flows smoothlyand therefore silentlythrough the vessel again.
There are some more modern devices of the classic type. These have an electronic sensor that replaces the stethoscope. Some of these devices can also record the pulse rate.
Digital blood pressure monitors
Digital blood pressure monitors take automatic measurements of arterial pressure. They inflate at the push of a button and also deflate automatically. They determine both blood pressure values and the pulse rate. These devices are now available at low cost. There are models for the upper arm and for the wrist. Both methods are considered equivalent, but there are design-related differences. Wrist devices are easier to use, but you must pay close attention to holding your wrist correctly with the measurement point at heart level. With upper-arm devices this position is almost automatic, though you may need to remove clothing from the arm to take a reading.
Blood pressure monitors with a quality seal
A blood pressure monitor sold on the market must comply with the Medical Devices Act. However, this law only states that medical devices must be safe and sufficiently functional. It does not require a specific measurement accuracy. The Deutsche Hochdruckliga awards a seal for devices it has tested: the seal of the Deutsche Hochdruckliga. The testing is carried out by an independent institute unknown to the manufacturer. The test follows a comprehensive protocol with at least 96 participantsmore than the Medical Devices Act requires. The test conditions are precisely defined and consistent.
Articles in this category:
- How can you regularly monitor your blood pressure?
- Blood pressure measurement
- Blood pressure record and blood pressure app
- Blood pressure monitor: wrist or upper arm?
- Oscillometric or Korotkoff blood pressure measurement?
- Blood pressure measurement at the doctor's office (Korotkoff method)
- How accurate are blood pressure monitors?
- Wrist blood pressure monitor
- When is a wrist blood pressure measurement not suitable?
- Upper-arm blood pressure monitor
- When is a blood pressure measurement on the upper arm not suitable?
- Blood pressure cuffs
- 24-hour blood pressure monitoring
- Blood pressure monitor tests
- Blood pressure: right or left arm?
- Do you need to remove clothing for an upper-arm measurement?
- Errors when measuring blood pressure
- How to measure blood pressure correctly
- When to measure your blood pressure?
- Approval of Blood Pressure Monitors
This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 11/2025).
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.
