A bracelet to check blood pressure

SCIENTISTS have developed a stylish way of measuring blood pressure – with a bracelet. And studies show it to be just as effective as the GP’s uncomfortable ‘sleeve’ machine.

The sleek monitor, called Aktiia, is a Fitbit-style band that checks blood pressure round the clock.

Early trials show that it is just as accurate as conventional testing kits, although it is worth noting that this research is funded by the company.

The experimental device analyses the rate at which blood is moving through the arteries in the wrist to compute blood pressure and displays the readings on a linked screen.

It’s still at the early stages – only six volunteers have tried it – but larger trials are planned this year. Aktiia.com