People with hypertension should track their blood pressure, but standard pressure cuffs can be cumbersome and inconvenient. A new wristband can do the job for you.
High blood pressure is a problem for many people, but it can be difficult to track it every day with a typical blood pressure cuff. Many companies are working on cuffless blood pressure devices, but one company has a product that is already shipping. The Aktiia Bracelet uses light from LEDs and optical sensors to take measurements, using the same technology that smartwatches and fitness bands use to track heart rate. The device has been validated in clinical studies, and has received CE clearance for sale in some European countries including the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. It is worth noting that the device is not suitable for users with an irregular heartbeat due to atrial fibrillation, as it won’t produce reliable results. The device is being used in a clinical study at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts under an Investigational Device Exception from the FDA, but we can hope that it will earn a full clearance before long and will be available in the U.S. as well.