High blood pressure is something many overlook, but if untreated, it can lead to a heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and many other devastating consequences. The tricky thing about getting your blood pressure tested is that doctors only gain information about your BP in that particular moment. Now, Omron’s HeartGuide wearable can constantly monitor blood pressure in real-time.
The device takes clinically accurate BP readings and ensures individuals wearing the device are staying within a healthy range. If the user’s BP exceeds the normal range, the device notifies the user, and users can contact their doctor immediately.
When Omron created HeartGuide, the design process included packing in a lot of technology into the wearable.
“The design of the HeartGuide involved more than 80 new patents that miniaturize the components for traditional oscillometric measurement, using an inflatable cuff within the watch band to take a blood pressure reading,” said Omron, according to their site. “This is a key differentiator that sets HeartGuide apart from other wearables that rely on sensor technology, which only provide blood pressure estimates.”
The expanding band inside the watch acts like a blood pressure cuff you’d see at the doctor’s office. The cuff then inflates, takes your BP reading, and the data is displayed on an app. It takes about 30 to 40 seconds to measure your BP using the HeartGuide, and you can schedule the wearable to automatically take your BP at regular intervals or you can take it manually.
According to Digital Trends, Omron suggested the rechargeable battery inside the wearable be charged two to three times per a week.
Check out the design process behind creating HeartGuide.