Auscultatory method

The auscultatory method is a way to measure blood pressure using a stethoscope and a cuff. The cuff is wrapped around the upper arm and inflated to temporarily cut off blood flow. As the cuff slowly deflates, a healthcare provider listens with the stethoscope placed over an artery — usually at the elbow. They note the pressure when they first hear a pulse sound (systolic pressure) and when the sounds disappear (diastolic pressure). This technique provides important information about how effectively blood is circulating and the pressure within your arteries.