Final answer:
A sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure, especially during cycling exercise tests to track how systolic and diastolic pressures respond to physical activity. It is not used to detect arrhythmias, conduction disturbances, or myocardial ischemia.
Step-by-step explanation:
A sphygmomanometer may be used during a cycling exercise test to primarily determine blood pressure. This medical device consists of an inflatable cuff to restrict blood flow and a manometer to measure the pressure. As the cuff is inflated and then slowly deflated, the blood pressure is measured based on the sounds of blood flow heard through a stethoscope. Common arterial blood pressure measurements are 120 mm Hg systolic and 80 mm Hg diastolic. Notably, during exercise, systolic pressure can increase significantly to enhance blood flow and represents no harm, illustrating the circulatory system's robustness. On the contrary, issues like arrhythmias, conduction disturbances, and myocardial ischemia are usually identified using different diagnostic tools, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG).
Understanding blood pressure measurements is critical as high systolic pressure poses risks of stroke and heart attack, while too low may cause fainting. Similarly, diastolic pressure can signal fluid balance issues, showing potential internal hemorrhaging when low or vessel dilation problems when high, possibly leading to strain on the heart.