The Truth About Smartwatch Blood Pressure Monitors
Can a smartwatch measure blood pressure in Kenya? A recent study found that smartwatches can measure blood pressure, but are not as accurate as a professional monitor.
The study showed that out of 100 readings taken by the Apple Watch and the Samsung Galaxy Gear S2, only 64 were accurate.
This means that 36% of these devices recorded an inaccurate reading.
When compared to traditional methods such as the Omron 10 series wrist cuff, which had accuracy rates over 95%, it is clear that wearing a watch has drawbacks in regards to measuring blood pressure effectively.
The truth about smartwatches and blood pressure monitors is that they are not the same thing.
A wristwatch can measure your heart rate, but it cannot measure your blood pressure.
That being said, there are many watches on the market that have features to estimate your blood pressure level based on heart rate variability.
These devices require a cuff or stethoscope to be attached in order to work properly. If you’re looking for more information on how these devices work, keep reading!
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is a measure of the force exerted by blood on the walls of the arteries. It depends on cardiac output (the amount of blood pumped per minute), total peripheral resistance (resistance to flow in all parts of the circulatory system), and arterial stiffness (which increases as people age).
Blood Pressure Monitors
There are three types:
- upper-arm monitors
- wrist devices and
- finger sensors.
These work with different technologies such as aneroid sphygmomanometers which use air cuffs or oscillometric measuring systems which can take readings without direct contact with another person’s arm.
More recently, mobile phone apps have been developed for self-monitoring at home after consultation with medical professionals.
Can you take accurate blood pressure readings at the wrist?
The answer is no. The wrist is too mobile. Blood pressure readings taken at the wrist are less accurate since there can be changes in a position that affects blood flow through vessels and therefore change results.
This makes it difficult to have a consistent spot for monitoring, resulting in inaccurate measurements.
However, these methods do provide an effective way of measuring daily fluctuations throughout the day or night that would otherwise go unnoticed by other devices such as pumps or sphygmomanometers used by health care professionals.
Blood Pressure Monitors VS smartwatch
The Omron blood pressure monitor was used in the study to compare with smartwatch readings and had an accuracy rate of over 95%.
This means that it gives accurate results more than 95% of the time, while only 36% of smartwatch measurements were found to be accurate when compared against a standard device such as this one.
A wrist cuff has been designed for people who can’t use their arms correctly or at all due to injury or disability, but they are not recommended for general monitoring purposes since they do not give reliable readings under most conditions.
How should you monitor your blood pressure?
The best ways are either with upper arm cuffs attached to professional machines or with automatic monitors worn around the waist (but not on wrists).
If using home monitors, make sure they come from reputable companies that test their products against recognized standards before selling them.
3 Best Smartwatch in Kenya With Blood Pressure Monitor
The blood pressure monitor watches on this list were chosen because users indicate they provide accurate or near-accurate results.
1). Omron HeartGuide
The Omron HeartGuide is a blood pressure monitor watch in Kenya that’s easy to use and clinically accurate.
It features an automatic blood pressure detection system, which means you can take your blood pressure in just 30 seconds.
It’s also lightweight and comfortable to wear all day long.
The Omron HeartGuide offers a wide range of features, including fitness tracking, sleep monitoring, and more.
Available in three colors—black, blue, or white—the watch is water-resistant so it can be worn while swimming or showering without worrying about damaging the smartwatch.
Currently, the price of Omron HeartGuide is over 40K.
2). Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 Classic is the smartwatch that helps you stay in the moment, in the way that suits you best.
It’s designed to be your partner for life, keeping you informed and motivated every step of the way.
With advanced sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, stress management features, and more, it’s your perfect fitness buddy too.
And when it comes to staying connected, there are plenty of ways to make sure you never miss a thing.
The price of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 in Kenya is around KES40,000.
3). FITVII Smart Watch
Key features:
- 24/7 Heart Rate Monitoring
- 24h Blood Pressure One-key detection
- Auto Sleep Tracking. Automatically tracks your sleep patterns between 6 pm to 8 am.
- 10 Sports Modes: Run, Walk, Hike, Bike, Cycling, Boxing, and more! You can even add your own sport mode!
- IP68 Waterproof: The watch is waterproof up to 50 meters deep in water. It’s also sweat-proof and showerproof so you don’t have to worry about using it when you are
You can buy the FITVII smartwatch for KES6144.58 at https://fitvii.com/.
Can a smartwatch measure blood pressure in Kenya? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
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