Blood pressure monitoring is a foundational aspect of health management, particularly for conditions like hypertension, often called the “silent killer” due to its lack of obvious symptoms. Traditional methods, such as occasional measurements at a doctor’s office or home cuff readings, offer only snapshots, potentially missing fluctuations throughout the day and night. Continuous monitoring provides a more comprehensive picture of cardiovascular health, revealing deeper insights into blood pressure behavior and trends for individuals and healthcare providers.
Understanding the Aktiia Monitor
The Aktiia 24/7 blood pressure monitor is a device designed for continuous blood pressure measurement throughout daily life, including during sleep. It consists primarily of a wrist-worn bracelet with optical sensors and an accompanying upper-arm cuff. The bracelet is worn on the wrist and automatically takes blood pressure readings without user interaction. The upper-arm cuff is used for periodic calibration of the wristband, typically on a monthly basis. The device is intended for adults aged 21 and older for home use.
The Technology Behind Continuous Monitoring
The Aktiia monitor employs photoplethysmography (PPG) technology, utilizing optical sensors within the wrist-worn bracelet to measure changes in arterial diameter. These optical sensors shine light into the skin and analyze the reflected light, which changes as blood volume fluctuates with each heartbeat. The acquired PPG signals are then processed by proprietary algorithms to derive blood pressure values through pulse wave analysis (PWA). The device is designed to take measurements during rest phases, meaning readings are not performed during physical activity or wrist movement.
To ensure accuracy, the Aktiia bracelet requires periodic calibration with a traditional upper-arm cuff, typically once a month. This calibration process integrates the cuff-based measurements with the optical readings, allowing the device’s algorithms to maintain precision over time.
Practical Use and Data Insights
Using the Aktiia device involves downloading the Aktiia app and creating a user account. The Aktiia bracelet then pairs with a smartphone via Bluetooth, and the included upper-arm cuff is also paired for initial setup and subsequent monthly calibrations. Once calibrated, the bracelet is worn continuously, automatically taking blood pressure readings day and night without user interaction or disturbing lights or alarms. The collected data is stored on the bracelet and then synchronized with the Aktiia app, even if the mobile device is not constantly nearby.
The Aktiia app visualizes the 24/7 blood pressure readings through graphs, providing a clear breakdown of trends over time. Users can view their 24-hour average blood pressure values and analyze day/night patterns, identifying if their blood pressure drops during sleep as expected. The app also provides insights into how lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, stress, and medications might influence blood pressure. This continuous, comprehensive data allows for a more complete understanding of blood pressure health, and digital reports can be generated and shared with healthcare providers to help monitor hypertension management programs.
Clinical Accuracy and Reliability
The Aktiia monitor has undergone clinical validation to demonstrate its accuracy and reliability. Its initialization cuff has been validated according to the American National Standards Institute / Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation/International Organization for Standardization (ANSI/AAMI/ISO) 81060-2:2013 standard. This validation confirmed that the mean differences between the Aktiia cuff and a standard mercury sphygmomanometer met the required criteria, with specific mean differences of 1.3 ± 7.11 mmHg for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and -0.2 ± 5.46 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in one study.
The optical Aktiia bracelet has also been subject to clinical studies, with results indicating its ability to accurately estimate blood pressure in common body positions, meeting the ISO 81060-2 criteria for sitting and relaxed positions after initialization. Adherence to these medical device standards assures users that the device’s readings are trustworthy and consistent with established benchmarks for blood pressure measurement. The device holds a CE mark, signifying its compliance with European health, safety, and environmental protection standards.