New Wearable Tracks Blood Pressure Without a Cuff

A new wearable device, Hilo, aims to provide continuous blood pressure monitoring without the need for a traditional cuff. This FDA-cleared Class IIa medical device collects readings throughout the day and displays them in an accompanying app. While Hilo boasts a durable design and long battery life, it requires monthly calibration with an included Bluetooth cuff to ensure reading accuracy. This calibration process, along with the use of older charging cable standards, presents minor user inconveniences. A significant drawback is the $80 annual subscription fee required for full app access, which otherwise limits users to seven days of data and reduces syncing frequency with health apps.

Despite the subscription model and calibration requirement, the Hilo band appears accurate for blood pressure monitoring and functions competently as a step tracker. However, its sleep tracking capabilities are reportedly less precise than those of an Apple Watch. Health professionals suggest cuffless continuous monitoring may benefit individuals with white coat hypertension or those experiencing dizziness. Nevertheless, the overall utility of continuous monitoring data remains a subject of ongoing discussion. For many, the combined cost of the device and the annual subscription may outweigh the benefits compared to more affordable, cuff-based devices with free apps.