MODEL RELEASED. Blood pressure measurement. General practitioner measuring an elderly patient's blood pressure using a digital sphygmamanometer. The machine has a digital display and an inflatable cuff. The cuff temporarily cuts off the blood flow in the patient's arm. As it deflates, pulsing blood flow resumes and a reading of the systolic pressure is taken. As the cuff is further deflated, smooth blood flow resumes and the diastolic pressure is recorded. Blood pressure is an important indicator of health.