What is palpated vs osculated blood pressure?

Palpated and auscultated blood pressure refer to two different methods of measuring blood pressure. Palpation is the method of measuring blood pressure by feeling the pulse in the brachial artery, while auscultation is the method of measuring blood pressure by listening to the sounds produced by blood flow in the brachial artery.

Palpated blood pressure

Palpated blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer, which is a device that consists of an inflatable cuff, a pressure gauge, and a stethoscope. The cuff is placed around the upper arm, and the pressure is increased until the pulse in the brachial artery disappears. The pressure is then slowly decreased until the pulse returns, and the pressure at which the pulse returns is recorded as the systolic blood pressure. The pressure is then continued to be decreased until the sounds produced by blood flow in the brachial artery disappear, and the pressure at which the sounds disappear is recorded as the diastolic blood pressure.

Auscultated blood pressure

Auscultated blood pressure is also measured using a sphygmomanometer, but instead of feeling the pulse in the brachial artery, the sounds produced by blood flow in the brachial artery are listened to using a stethoscope. The cuff is placed around the upper arm, and the pressure is increased until the sounds produced by blood flow in the brachial artery disappear. The pressure is then slowly decreased until the sounds return, and the pressure at which the sounds return is recorded as the systolic blood pressure. The pressure is then continued to be decreased until the sounds disappear again, and the pressure at which the sounds disappear is recorded as the diastolic blood pressure.

Comparison of palpated and auscultated blood pressure

Palpated blood pressure is generally higher than auscultated blood pressure, because the pulse in the brachial artery can be felt before the sounds produced by blood flow in the brachial artery are heard. The difference between palpated and auscultated blood pressure is usually small, but it can be larger in people with high blood pressure or other conditions that affect blood flow.

Which method of blood pressure measurement is more accurate?

Auscultated blood pressure is generally considered to be more accurate than palpated blood pressure, because it is less likely to be affected by factors such as the strength of the pulse and the skill of the person taking the measurement.