A standard blood pressure test is really simple! There are two methods for this test: the manual method and the automatic method. With the manual method: • You'll rest your arm on a table • A doctor or doctor's assistant will wrap a blood pressure cuff around your arm • The professional may also place a stethoscope over your upper arm to listen to your blood flow • The professional will inflate the cuff with a small hand pump • As the cuff inflates, it will squeeze your arm gently • The professional will slowly release the air in the cuff • The professional may continue to listen with the stethoscope • Your blood pressure will be recorded The automatic method is very similar, except the cuff can automatically inflate and take the measurement. A stethoscope isn't needed for the automatic method. The whole test takes about a minute.