Community Discussions
Blood Pressure Measurement
1 month ago (edited)
Does anyone have any experience and/or recommendations for simple and ideally continuous blood pressure measurement? For example, with Withings BPM Core or Hilo (formerly Aktiia) or another smart device?
Background: I recently measured my blood pressure again, using a simple cuff device without Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, mostly in the late morning. Strangely enough, my systolic blood pressure was slightly elevated, even though my doctors always told me during my annual checkup that my blood pressure was fine. Then I had my cardiovascular twin created at the Life Summit and surprisingly my blood pressure in the afternoon after a long day at the conference was lower than on a typical morning in my home office. When I measured it on the sofa one evening at the beginning of this week, I was almost shocked at how low my blood pressure was ... I would like to better understand my blood pressure throughout the day and what influences it, but measuring it with my old-school device is not convenient enough for me to make it a habit ...
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Hi Heiko,
my Withings BPM Connect just arrived a few days ago. If it’s of interest to you, I’d be happy to share my first impressions in the next couple of days. It was recommended to me by one of the doctors at the YEARS clinic as a reliable and easy-to-use blood pressure monitor.
I also noticed that a few other Zapiens have experience with Withings or Hilo, so it could be valuable to hear some pros and cons from the group as well:
@amer-hamzeh
@fabian-praschl
@dennis-esser
@hadi-saleh
@rafael-hostettler
Hi Heiko,
I have been using Hilo (Aktiia) now for more than a year and the measurements are very accurate when I compare it with a regular cuff-based measurement. I have compared the measurements with a wrist-cuff device and upper-arm-cuff device and all results are not too far off.
You could either go with a wrist based device and just measure yourself throughout the day or invest in Hilo if you want more data points.
There will be hours with no measurements as the device does not work well when in movement, like running or lifting.
Also finding the right tightness around your wrist can be somewhat tricky as you don't want to have it too loose or too tight.
I am curious what the community will report about the Whoop MG which will have a blood pressure monitor as well.
Hope this helps.
All the best
Hadi
I made a video about the Withings BPM Core.
Before I had a cheap one from DM which always had a bit higher values. I really like the BPM Core.
@heiko-bartlog I have times where my blood pressure is a bit higher but at the moment I don't know why. It's not really a "stress thing".
https://www.youtube.com/embed/nlm5QlP1QK4
Thanks @hadi-saleh and @fabian-praschl - How often do you use the Withings BPM Core? Is it convenient to use it more than once or twice a day, Fabian?
Hey @heiko-bartlog, during the time I focused on reducing my blood pressure, I used it 2 times a day. I think you can easily use it a few times a day. It's easy to transport (small) and easy to use. I also took it with me on vacation.
I use hilo with my mom and can truly recommend it, especially now that they finally write to Apple Health. The only reason I didn't get it for myself is because I already have the Whithings BPM connect. and didn't feel like paying for another device to sit next to my apple watch.
I like the Connect more than the Core because the Core is too clunky and not ideal for traveling.
I mostly use the Whitings BPM connect at home. When I do measure it's for a 2 week period 3 times a day (morning, lunch, dinner) after 5 minutes of coherent breathing. The only reason I do that is because i'm too impatient to wait 5 minutes before the measurements and so I combine the 2 activities.
In terms of reading the results and interpreting them I use the Liv iOS App since I didn't find any in-market longevity focused Heart Pressure device, so we built out own. We'll start building the Android version soon, I'll be sure to ping you then @heiko-bartlog 😉
