Abstract: A sphygmomanometer for controlling an optimum pressurization and minute exhaustion comprises a cuff which is wrapped around the upper arm of a subject for compressing the brachial artery. The cuff is pressurized with an air pump controlled by a microcontroller. The microcontroller is programmed to terminate the pressurization process at the point the systolic pressure is detected. The microcontroller further controls the exhaustion of air by switching a solenoid valve on and off and thereby negate the need for a costly minute exhaust valve. During the pressurization and depressurization process, pressure waves are transmitted from the brachial artery to a sensor where they are converted to an electrical signal for processing by the microcontroller. The microcontroller computes the systolic and diastolic pressure and routes the data to a display for visual readout.