What is a blood pressure monitor primarily used for?

A blood pressure monitor is primarily used to automatically inflate a blood pressure cuff and measure blood pressure. This device is essential for identifying hypertension or hypotension, both of which can have significant implications for a patient’s health.

The blood pressure reading consists of two values: systolic pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries during the contraction of the heart, and diastolic pressure, which is the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats. This information is crucial in medical settings for diagnosing and managing a variety of conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues.

The other options, while related to health monitoring, do not specifically pertain to the primary function of a blood pressure monitor. For instance, measuring heart rate is typically done with a pulse oximeter or a heart rate monitor rather than a blood pressure monitor. Assessing respiratory function is generally done with spirometry or peak flow meters, and detecting oxygen levels in the blood is the domain of pulse oximetry. Each of these tools serves distinct purposes in patient assessment and monitoring.