We’re in the heart of Summer, which means there’s no better time to get active in the fresh air. As we set these warm-weather fitness goals, you might want to consider monitoring your blood pressure as part of the overall health equation.
Traditionally, measuring blood pressure would mean scheduling a doctor’s appointment and making the trek to the office, only to sit in a waiting room for longer than actual facetime with you provider. With today’s advancements in wearable technology, we’re now able to monitor our blood pressure with the simple strapping on of a smart watch.
In this article, we’ll break down why it’s important to monitor your blood pressure and a list of our top smart watch choices that let you do so on the go.
What Benefits Do I Get From Monitoring my Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is often referred to as the “silent killer.” This is because even when we’re suffering from high blood pressure, rarely do we feel any symptoms from it. According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, vision loss, heart failure, kidney failure, and sexual dysfunction.
Smartwatches allow us to monitor our blood pressure regularly and quickly, and through a convenient delivery mechanism. This significantly lessens the chance of falling victim to the “silent killer”.
So, how do smart watches now do what only a doctor could?
Many smart watches come with sensors built into the watch face that can carry out health monitoring. However, these sensors are focused on monitoring heart rate, but we’re all about blood pressure today.
To accurately measure blood pressure, it is necessary to briefly stop the circulation of blood. This allows for the force required by the heart to pump blood around the body to be recorded at the time of pumping, which is known in medical vernacular as the systolic pressure, and in between pumps, known as the diastolic pressure. For this to happen via smart watch, a wrist strap that can inflate, think along the lines of the cuff of an automatic blood pressure monitor, is required.
While the accuracy of early smart watch models was questionable, the latest smart watches being sold today use optical sensors with a higher degree of accuracy. It’s important to note that they still are not intended to replace medical devices.
A very new generation of smartwatches use a new technology called pulse oximetry, which is a light sensor that can estimate your blood pressure. The accuracy of this tool is not yet proven but it’s worth noting that the technology could grow in popularity and accuracy as it continued to evolve.
What are the top-rated blood pressure monitoring smart watches?
Our top picks have got you covered – whether you’re looking for the most wallet-friendly option, the one with the highest accuracy, or the best of both.
Best in Accuracy – The Omron Heartguide, $499
This watch is the only one currently on the market with FDA clearance for accuracy. That’s a big win. The technology used is similar to the technology found in home blood pressure monitors. In fact, Omron is one of the global leaders when it comes to blood pressure monitors. It’s won numerous awards since hitting the market in 2019, including the 2019 TIME Invention Award. One thing to note in considering this watch is that it is expensive and quite bulky for everyday wear.
Best in Price – Yaway 021, $44.99
By and away, the Yaway is the best priced smart watch to monitor blood pressure. That being said, with a lower cost comes less reliable accuracy and no FDA clearance, as compared to the OHG. We’d consider this an entry-level product if you’re new to the world of wearable technology.
This watch uses pulse transit time technology (PTT) to monitor blood pressure. Essentially, it estimates the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but needs to be regularly calibrated to ensure reliability of results. Beyond blood pressure, this watch can also measure blood oxygen levels, heart rate and stress levels.
Best Overall – Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, $349
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is smack dab in the middle for value and accuracy. From blood pressure monitoring to electrocardiogram information, it does a lot for a smart watch. Although not FDA-cleared yet, the EKG technology built-in that tracks atrial fibrillation and heart rhythm abnormalities could become approved soon.
It’s got a bit of a bulkier style, but the smart watch is a fantastic fitness tracker.
