High blood pressure, commonly known as hypertension often occurs without any noticeable symptoms. Therefore there are a significant number of people living with this illness without any diagnosis. When untreated, high blood pressure can cause severe organ damage and could lead to the possibility of suffering a stroke and or a heart attack. Blood pressure is constantly changing depending on the individuals daily exercise levels.
Experts recommend that people who have previously experienced signs of hypertension or people who have already been diagnosed with high blood pressure should consistently and closely measure their blood pressure regularly at home. It is fast, easy and can be the difference between life and death.
Besides closely measuring ones blood pressure at home there have been new developments for at home blood pressure monitoring. Companies are currently developing new technology in attempts to eliminate the noticeably uncomfortable, bulky cuffs which have the reputation of “strangling” ones arm while measuring ones blood pressure. Comfort is now key.
The Scanadu Scout is a small disc-shaped device that is made to be held between ones thumb and forefinger and placed against ones forehead. It is made to measure your blood pressure without a “strangling” cuff. The Scanadu Scout also is able to assess ones heart rate, respiration, blood oxygenation (SpO2) and temperature. The Scout is currently undergoing an FDA medical device review, while early customers who´ve purchased through an Indiegogo campaign are engaged in usability testing.
Blumio is yet another innovative company that is hoping to make home blood pressure monitoring easier and faster for the public. Their radar technology is used by logging an individuals´ pulse pressure wave that occurs with each heartbeat; considering the speed of this wave over the distance between the two antennas. We will expect to see the device by Fall 2017.
Omron Healthcare wants people to know their blood pressure without having to trudge to the clinic. The company has a new device as part of their Project Zero; a wrist blood pressure monitor. Sensors in their new wrist device figure out how you’re holding your arm, and alert you when you should move; once your arm is at heart level — the right position for blood pressure measurements — the gadget gets to analyzing. This new device hasn’t received regulatory clearance yet, however Omron claims they meet the standards for accuracy in blood pressure monitoring. The wrist blood pressure device should be ready for sale sometime in late 2016 and will cost around $200.
H2 is another wearable blood pressure monitor. The device is worn on the wrist and can track blood pressure anytime, anywhere in just 20 seconds. The wristband is available in six different interchangeable band colors. H2 will give you recommended daily food menu and activities based on your blood pressure. You can check your blood pressure on the display of the band, smartphone, or your personal computer.
Salu Pulse Band is a Canadian startup which senses your blood flow around your wrist and identifies an estimated ambulatory blood pressure. It also tracks personal activity, blood oxygen saturation, Heart Rate and estimated blood pressure. The measurements are synced with the Salu App which learns from your data, and provides suggestions on how to improve your health.
If you accomplish these suggestions, the advice will change, so you will always be learning new ways to achieve healthy lifestyle goals. The device is not available yet but we hope to see it soon for pre-orders!
Advancements in the medical field are making it possible to check your blood pressure anytime, anywhere without the need of carrying around a bulky device that is also not comfortable. For people suffering from high blood pressure, it is important to measure it every day; despite where ones´ measurements are being taken. It may be the time to say goodbye to the cuff with these new technologies making their ways into our daily lives!
