Measuring blood pressure is like measuring water pressure in a hose. Only here we are measuring the pressure in our blood vessels. That's how it's done:

1 First, you will be asked to stretch out your arm. We medical assistants will put a special sleeve, which looks like a thick cuff, around your arm. It feels like a hug for your arm.

2. if you are less than 3 years old, we will put the cuff on your ankle. This will help you to get a more accurate measurement.

3. then switch on the blood pressure monitor. This device is like a small computer that measures the pressure in your blood vessels.

4. the device slowly pumps air into the cuff to increase the pressure in your arm. You may feel your arm feel a little tight. But don't worry, it won't hurt.

5. while the device increases the pressure in the cuff, it will simultaneously measure the pressure in your blood vessels. It does this by listening to the blood flowing through your arteries.

6. as soon as the device has collected enough information, it will slowly reduce the pressure in the cuff again. You will feel the pressure in your arm (or leg) decrease.

7. the doctor's assistant will then read the results on the screen of the device. This shows how high your blood pressure is.

8 In some cases it is necessary to measure the blood pressure on both arms and both legs, but we will explain this to you in advance.

9. the values are entered into the computer so that they can be checked later.

That's it! The blood pressure measurement is complete and you can see how well your heart and blood vessels are working.

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