Every year, millions of Americans visit their doctor to monitor and control their blood pressure, yet only half have their condition under control. Having high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, chronic heart failure, and kidney disease, which is why accurately measuring and tracking a patient’s blood pressure is so crucial during any office visit. It’s also a vital part of treating a patient during an emergency situation.
The Beginning of Measuring Blood Pressure
Measuring blood pressure began in 1733, when Stephen Hales used the displacement of blood from the heart to measure blood pressure. Of course, this invasive procedure, first done on a horse, was not effective in human patients.
Then, in the early 1800s, Jean Leonard Marie Poiseuille introduced a slightly less invasive option, in which a liquid-filled tube was inserted into an artery to measure pressure.
Thankfully in 1896, Scipione Riva-Rocci discovered that counter-pressure could be used to find the systolic pressure. With this method he placed a cuff around the patient’s arm, inflated the cuff with an attached bulb until the radial pulse was no longer present, and then slowly deflated the cuff until the radial pulse reappeared – noting the systolic pressure.
In 1905, Nikolai Korotkoff invented the auscultatory technique to find the diastolic pressure. Essentially, once he realized the sound of the blood movement (henceforth known as Korotkoff sounds) changed as the pressure on the cuff was released, it was deduced that when all sounds disappeared is the moment of minimal blood pressure, otherwise known as the diastolic pressure. This method is fairly difficult to master and relies on the skill of the technician, causing readings to vary.
Blood Pressure Monitors Today
There are a variety of blood pressure monitors available today. Some of the most common are the automatic monitors that take quick, accurate readings and eliminate human error. They often have easy to read numbers, dedicated, customizable controls, and reusable cuffs. Disposable cuffs are also available and might be better suited for certain environments.
Whether in a hospital, emergency, or professional setting, accurate blood pressure readings are critical. At Future Health Concepts we offer a range of diagnostic equipment including blood pressure monitoring equipment.
Future Health Concepts (FHC) has been serving the medical community with new and refurbished medical equipment for 40 years. Our primary refurbished products are sterilizers, washers/disinfectors, and operating room tables. Other quality refurbished medical products are anesthesia machines, patient monitors, defibrillators, ESU, and rigid and flexible video systems along with many other products. Our clients’ satisfaction is of the utmost importance to us. We will work to try to exceed your expectations when it comes to equipment needs to develop a long-term relationship with your facility.
To find out more about our product options, including new and used equipment, call us today at 1-888-282-8644.