A device (10) for measuring brachial arterial blood pressure in an individual (11) has a blood pressure cuff (12) attachable to an upper arm of the individual, means (13), separate to the blood pressure cuff (12), for measuring the heart rate of the individual (11), and a control unit (14) connected to both the blood pressure cuff (12) and the heart rate monitoring means (13), such that, in use, the control unit (14) monitors the heart rate of the individual (11) for the establishment of a stable resting heart rate, initiates a blood pressure measurement using a protocol appropriate to the outcome of the heart rate monitoring, and calculates the pulse pressure (PP) to establish the status of the brachial artery during the blood pressure measurement. Where the heart rate drops to within +12 bpm of a reference, resting heart rate for the individual (11) the device (10) will initiate a blood pressure measurement in accordance with a reference, resting heart rate protocol. However, where an irregular heart rate (IRHR) is found the device (10) will initiate a blood pressure measurement in accordance with a timed protocol. By waiting for the establishment of a reference, resting heart rate the accuracy of the subsequent blood pressure measurements is improved.
