Jasz
VIP Contributor
Blood Pressure Cuff: Digital vs. Analogue
In our current fast-paced, high-tech world, it can be easy to assume that digital devices are always more effective and efficient than their analogue counterparts. You might think that’s certainly true in the medical field, but is it? Let’s take a closer look at how digital and analogue sphygmomanometers compare in terms of efficiency.
Analogue Sphygmomanometers
Analogue sphygmomanometers measure blood pressure by inflating a cuff around your arm, then measuring the pressure at which the indented artery begins to pulse again within it. This is called your systolic pressure. The point when the sound disappears is your diastolic pressure. As your doctor or nurse measures one or both of these numbers, you get a visual representation of how much air is in the cuff on an analog gauge—the needle on this gauge moves up as more air is pumped into the cuff, and down as it’s released. It’s up to your doctor or nurse to read the dial and record the number(s).
Digital Sphygmomanometers
Digital sphygmomanometers use an inflatable cuff just like analogue ones, and almost the same process, but automatic. Digital sphygmomanometers are more efficient than analogue ones. This is because they are more accurate, faster, and easier to use. They are more accurate because analogues have a tendency to show numbers that are higher than what the systolic and diastolic pressure actually is. In comparison, digital sphygmomanometers do not have this problem. Digital sphygmomanometers are faster because there is no need for an observer to record the blood pressure levels which allows the person taking the blood pressure to move onto their next task at a more rapid pace. Digital sphygmomanometers are also easier to use since they do not require someone else to be present during the measurement of blood pressure levels.
But on a neutral now, I feel both can be inefficient sometimes:
Analogue ones can be inefficient due to human error. While digital type can be inaccurate due to technical error e.g low battery or lose battery contacts.
In our current fast-paced, high-tech world, it can be easy to assume that digital devices are always more effective and efficient than their analogue counterparts. You might think that’s certainly true in the medical field, but is it? Let’s take a closer look at how digital and analogue sphygmomanometers compare in terms of efficiency.
Analogue Sphygmomanometers
Analogue sphygmomanometers measure blood pressure by inflating a cuff around your arm, then measuring the pressure at which the indented artery begins to pulse again within it. This is called your systolic pressure. The point when the sound disappears is your diastolic pressure. As your doctor or nurse measures one or both of these numbers, you get a visual representation of how much air is in the cuff on an analog gauge—the needle on this gauge moves up as more air is pumped into the cuff, and down as it’s released. It’s up to your doctor or nurse to read the dial and record the number(s).
Digital Sphygmomanometers
Digital sphygmomanometers use an inflatable cuff just like analogue ones, and almost the same process, but automatic. Digital sphygmomanometers are more efficient than analogue ones. This is because they are more accurate, faster, and easier to use. They are more accurate because analogues have a tendency to show numbers that are higher than what the systolic and diastolic pressure actually is. In comparison, digital sphygmomanometers do not have this problem. Digital sphygmomanometers are faster because there is no need for an observer to record the blood pressure levels which allows the person taking the blood pressure to move onto their next task at a more rapid pace. Digital sphygmomanometers are also easier to use since they do not require someone else to be present during the measurement of blood pressure levels.
But on a neutral now, I feel both can be inefficient sometimes:
Analogue ones can be inefficient due to human error. While digital type can be inaccurate due to technical error e.g low battery or lose battery contacts.
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