Can You Trust Cuffless Blood Pressure Monitors?
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In recent years, wearable technology has exploded in popularity—from smartwatches to fitness trackers. One exciting idea is using cuffless blood pressure monitors for 24-hour tracking. These devices promise a more comfortable way to monitor blood pressure without the squeezing cuff. But can they really replace traditional monitors? A new study suggests: not yet.
Why Monitor Blood Pressure at Home?
High blood pressure (hypertension) affects one in three adults worldwide and is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. Many people don’t even know they have it. To catch and manage it early, regular monitoring at home is recommended.
Traditionally, this means using a cuff-based monitor that inflates around your arm. While accurate, these devices can be uncomfortable, especially when used overnight or throughout the day. That’s why cuffless devices, which look like wristbands and measure blood pressure using light sensors, seem so appealing.
What Was the Study About?
Researchers tested a popular cuffless blood pressure monitor (Aktiia) by comparing it with a medical-grade cuff-based device over 24 hours. Thirty-one people wore both devices at the same time, and their blood pressure and heart rate were recorded throughout the day and night.
The goal? To see how well the wearable measured blood pressure compared to the standard method.
What Did They Find?
The results showed that the cuffless device often gave lower readings, especially during the day. It also underestimated night-time dips in blood pressure and overall blood pressure variability. These are important indicators doctors look at when assessing heart health.
When it came to identifying people with high blood pressure, the wearable got it right only half the time (50% sensitivity). That means it missed a lot of cases. Its specificity (correctly identifying those without high BP) was better, at about 80%.
Overall, the agreement between the wearable and the traditional device was poor to moderate.
Why It Matters
While cuffless monitors are more comfortable and user-friendly, this study suggests they aren’t yet accurate enough to replace traditional devices—especially for clinical decisions. They may not be reliable for detecting patterns like night-time changes or early signs of hypertension.
This matters because relying on inaccurate data could delay treatment for serious conditions.
Should You Still Use a Cuffless Device?
If you already use one, don’t panic. These devices can still be useful for tracking general trends in your health and encouraging you to stay aware of your blood pressure. But for medical decisions or official diagnosis, stick with a validated cuff-based monitor for now.
As the technology improves and more research is done, cuffless monitors might become reliable enough for clinical use. For now, think of them as a helpful supplement—not a replacement.
Final Thoughts
Cuffless blood pressure monitors offer exciting possibilities for easier, continuous health tracking. But this study, published in the European Heart Journal – Digital Health, shows that we’re not quite there yet in terms of accuracy and reliability. If you’re monitoring your blood pressure for medical reasons, talk to your doctor about using a trusted, cuff-based device.