Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling the cuff pressure in a sphygmomanometer. The pressure control mechanism for a cuff (3) consists of one or a plurality of valves (4) whose operation is controlled by a control element (5) in a manner that the pulse frequency of valve (4) or valves (4) exceeds that of the heart. By using a pulse-controlled high-speed so-called on-off valve it is possible to effect the cuff pressure drop in a completely linear fashion by opening and closing the valve at a necessary frequency and by adjusting the durations of the on- and off-periods of said valve or valves.