Blood pressure is the force of blood inside an artery. A blood
pressure reading measures the force of blood against the walls
of an artery. Blood pressure is measured by temporarily stopping
the flow of blood in an artery, usually by wrapping a cuff
around the upper arm and pumping air into the cuff. As the air
is released from the cuff, blood begins to flow through the
artery again. When the blood begins to flow, the sound of blood
flowing through the artery can be heard through a stethoscope
placed on the skin over the artery inside the elbow.
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