Blood pressure measuring device

9A blood pressure measuring device has a pressure cuff the inflation of which is automatically effected and controlled by an evaluation and control unit to allow a continuous monitoring of a patient's blood pressure, especially during the night without infringing on the patient's comfort and sleep. The device also includes an EKG device and a sensor for sensing the pressure in the cuff. In a first mode of operation, the control and evaluation unit calculates an estimated blood pressure value from pulse wave transmission times with each calculated pulse wave transmission time being the time elapsing between a heart beat as detected by the EKG device and a corresponding cuff pressure change detected by the pressure sensor. In the event of the appearance of blood pressure spikes while operating in the first mode, the device switches to a second operating mode during which absolute blood pressure values are determined 9A blood pressure measuring device has a pressure cuff the inflation of which is automatically effected and controlled by an evaluation and control unit to allow a continuous monitoring of a patient's blood pressure, especially during the night without infringing on the patient's comfort and sleep. The device also includes an EKG device and a sensor for sensing the pressure in the cuff. In a first mode of operation, the control and evaluation unit calculates an estimated blood pressure value from pulse wave transmission times with each calculated pulse wave transmission time being the time elapsing between a heart beat as detected by the EKG device and a corresponding cuff pressure change detected by the pressure sensor. In the event of the appearance of blood pressure spikes while operating in the first mode, the device switches to a second operating mode during which absolute blood pressure values are determined.