Blood pressure measurement at the doctor's office (Korotkoff/Korotkow)
When you visit a doctor, the check-up often starts with measuring your blood pressure. Most doctor's offices still use the classic blood pressure devicesso-called sphygmomanometers.
A stethoscope is used to refine the measurement. In addition to what can be seen, there is also an acoustic component. With a stethoscope the examiner can hear exactly when the cuff pressure compresses the artery. Newer models are fully automatic electronic devices.
The device setup is very similar to the older model, but the readings are shown on a monitor.
Illustration: Korotkoff measurement
1. Die Manschette wird angelegt.
2. Die Manschette wird aufgepumpt, bis sie den Blutfluss unterbricht.
3. Beim Ablassen der Luft werden die Schwingungen im Blutfluss registriert.
4. Fließt das Blut wieder ohne Verwirbelungen, ist die Messung beendet.
By the way:
A study published in September 2023 showed that body position during blood pressure measurement in the doctor's office also matters. Measurements taken with the person sitting on an examination couchwithout being able to lean back, place their feet on the floor, or rest their armhad systolic values about 7 mmHg higher and diastolic values about 4.5 mmHg higher than when the person sat in a chair with feet on the floor and the arm supported.
Sources:
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.
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