Comparing blood pressure measurements between a photoplethysmography-based (Smartwatch) and a standard cuff-based manometry device

Nature ^ | 30 September 2020 | Dean Nachman, Yftach Gepner, Nir Goldstein, et al

[Red Badger]

Abstract

Repeated blood pressure (BP) measurements allow better control of hypertension. Current measurements rely on cuff-based devices.

The aim of the present study was to compare BP measurements using a novel cuff-less photoplethysmography-based device to a standard sphygmomanometer device.

Males and females were recruited from within the general population who arrived at a public BP screening station. One to two measurements were taken from each using a sphygmomanometer-based and the photoplethysmography-based devices.

Devices were considered equal if the mean difference between paired measurements was below 5 mmHg and the Standard Deviation (SD) was no greater than 8 mmHg. Agreement and reliability analyses were also performed. 1057 subjects were included in the study analysis.

There were no adverse events during the study.

The mean (± SD) difference between paired measurements for all subjects was -0.1 ± 3.6 mmHg for the systolic and 0.0 ± 3.5 mmHg for the diastolic readings.

We found 96.31% agreement in identifying hypertension and an Interclass Correlation Coefficient of 0.99 and 0.97 for systolic and diastolic measurements, respectively.

The photoplethysmography-based device was found similar to the gold-standard sphygmomanometer-based device with high agreement and reliability levels. The device might enable a reliable, more convenient method for repeated BP monitoring.

[TermLimits4All]

I often wondered how accurate the sensors were when I had my Samsung devices. In into an iPhone and surprisingly you need the watch to perform the same functions as the Samsung.

[finnsheep]

Have always wondered how much the normal blood pressure gizmo reading depends on the operators hearing!