The original post: /r/askscience by /u/a-jm93 on 2025-01-19 09:19:41.

I’ve always wondered how they actually do their job. I had my blood pressure checked yesterday twice, to check two different things.

I’ve no great understanding for a lot of medical equipment and instruments. How does it actually detect your blood pressure and read it? I asked the Nurse yesterday and she couldn’t quite describe it. I did put her on the spot probably after a long day, so I don’t think she was in any way incompetent.

It’s probably a very simple answer and easy to understand or learn but I’m no genius, clearly. Just curious.