Which pulse site is commonly used to measure blood pressure?

The brachial pulse site is commonly used to measure blood pressure because it provides an easily accessible point for auscultation with a sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff) and stethoscope. The brachial artery is located in the upper arm, and during blood pressure measurement, healthcare providers can place the cuff around the arm and listen to the sounds of blood flow through the brachial artery.

This location is especially beneficial because it is relatively close to the heart, allowing for accurate readings of the arterial pressure. Additionally, using the brachial artery is part of standard clinical practice, and most protocols for measuring blood pressure recommend this site due to its reliability.

While other pulse sites like the radial, femoral, and carotid can be used to assess circulation and heart rate, they are not typically employed for measuring blood pressure in a routine clinical setting. The radial pulse is primarily utilized for heart rate checks, the femoral pulse is used in specific contexts like assessing blood circulation in emergencies, and the carotid pulse is more associated with monitoring critical situations, such as cardiac arrest.