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A raft of wearable and other electronic devices are vying to replace the old blood pressure cuffs and squeeze balls. Should they?

A panel of cardiologists led by the University of Washington School of Medicine give them all a thumbs down. When I say all, I refer to the smartwatches, rings, chest patches, ultrasound wearables, phone-based sensors, and, yes, smart toilet seats that can measure all your cardiac vital signs every time you sit.

These devices test out to be unreliable yielding readings either lower or higher than the gold standard blood pressure cuff. That leads to under- or over-treatment of high blood pressure. Under treatment can lead to strokes or heart attacks while overtreatment leads to fainting and falls or a stroke.

Another problem occurs for patients with darker skin. Many of these devices rely on a light sensor and often fail to deliver accurate readings. There is no easy way to change their factory calibration.

Though these devices are more convenient and more comfortable to use, the bottom line is that you want accurate data. Until bioengineers can tweak and upgrade them, the best bet is to stick with the old tried and true blood pressure cuff.

I do suggest that everyone, even you in your twenties and thirties, check your blood pressure regularly. High pressures over time lead to heart and kidney failures.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/fullarticle/2832857

#bloodpressure #cuff #cuffless #wearables

What About Cuffless Blood Pressure Monitors

Dr. Howard Smith Reports