The Aktiia blood pressure bracelet is a wearable device designed for continuous blood pressure monitoring. It allows individuals to track their blood pressure throughout the day and night without traditional cuff-based measurements. This provides a more comprehensive understanding of blood pressure trends over time, moving beyond single spot readings, and helps users and their healthcare providers observe how blood pressure fluctuates in daily life.
How Aktiia Measures Blood Pressure
The Aktiia bracelet utilizes optical sensors that employ photoplethysmography (PPG) technology to detect changes in blood volume. These sensors shine light onto the skin and measure variations in light intensity as blood flows. Aktiia’s proprietary algorithms then process these optical signals to estimate blood pressure.
The device calculates blood pressure values using a Pulse Wave Analysis (PWA) technique. An initial calibration with a traditional arm cuff is required, involving three blood pressure readings with a supplied cuff. After calibration, the bracelet can provide automatic blood pressure measurements every hour, throughout the day and night when the user is still.
Key Features and User Experience
The Aktiia bracelet offers 24/7 monitoring, collecting blood pressure data, including during sleep. This continuous data provides a detailed representation of blood pressure fluctuations that traditional methods might miss. The bracelet syncs with a smartphone application for data visualization and tracking trends. Users access their data through the Aktiia mobile app, which requires an internet connection to synchronize with a secure cloud server.
The app presents color-coded readings for two-hour intervals, with options to view weekly and monthly trends. It also displays average measurements for the past 24 hours, distinguishing between day and night averages, and shows the percentage of time blood pressure and resting heart rate were within a healthy range. The bracelet is designed for comfortable and discreet daily wear, with no lights or alarms to disturb the user. Periodic recalibration with a standard cuff is needed monthly. These features help users understand their blood pressure patterns and share information with healthcare providers.
Accuracy and Clinical Validation
The Aktiia blood pressure monitor has undergone clinical validation and received medical device certification. It holds the CE Mark as a Class IIa medical device in Europe, confirming compliance with EU safety, health, and environmental protection requirements. The device meets ISO 81060-2 standards. Aktiia’s clinical studies have been peer-reviewed and published in respected scientific journals.
It is designed for continuous monitoring of adult patients in home use. This device is a monitoring tool and not intended for initial diagnosis of hypertension or for use in acute medical emergencies. Its continuous monitoring approach offers an advantage over traditional spot checks by revealing blood pressure variability, useful for individuals managing conditions like hypertension or white coat syndrome.