Abstract: A hybrid sphygmomanometer comprises: (a) an arm cuff with an inflatable air bladder; (b) a pumping device for inflating the air bladder; (c) a manually controlled air outlet valve for deflating the air bladder; (d) an air pressure transducer operative to receive the pressure in the air bladder of the arm cuff and to produce an electrical signal representing this pressure; (e) a manually operated switch for generating systolic and diastolic interrupt signals; (f) a first electronic display for displaying the instantaneous pressure in the air bladder in the form of a bar graph; (g) a second electronic display for displaying systolic and diastolic pressures; and (h) an electrical circuit connected to the pressure transducer and to the button for controlling said first and second display. The first display, for displaying the instantaneous pressure in the air bladder, is a simulated mercury column.