MODEL RELEASED. Blood pressure measurement. A general practice doctor monitors blood pressure of an elderly man. The doctor uses an analogue sphygmomanometer. An inflatable cuff (blue) is placed around the upper arm; it is connected to an analogue device with a clock face. An old style sphygmomanometer with mercury column is seen on the wall. The cuff is inflated exerting pressure on the brachial artery to stop blood flow in the arm. The pressure is released and the separate systolic and diastolic pressures of the pumping and relaxed heart are taken. Blood pressure is read in millimetres of mercury. It is an important measure of bodily health.