Blood Pressure Reading and Korotkoff Sounds

Blood pressure reading uses a cuff, a gauge, and a stethoscope to check cardiovascular health. The method used today was developed more than 100 years ago by Russian doctor Dr. Nikolai Korotkoff. The soft ticking sounds heard during the reading are called Korotkoff sounds. They come from turbulent blood flow in the vessel.

Blood pressure is commonly measured in the brachial artery of the left arm using a sphygmomanometer. It includes a rubber cuff, a rubber bulb for inflating the cuff, and a meter that records the cuff pressure.

First, the cuff is wrapped around the arm, just above the elbow, and inflated. This pressure, approximately 30 mm Hg above the typ...