Have you ever thought about how your smartwatch can tell what your blood pressure is? It may seem like a miracle, but in reality, there is some exciting technology behind it. In this entry, we will talk a little bit about how smartwatches measure blood pressure and look at the sensors that help them do it. Finally, we will give you advice on how to use this feature correctly and explain any misconceptions you may have about it.
The Science Behind Measuring a Blood Pressure
Typically, cuff inflation on your arm triggers blood pressure measurements listened to using a stethoscope that detects blood flow changes. This can capture systolic (peak pressure during heart contraction) and diastolic (heart relaxation pressure). The Smartwatch uses sensors to detect the same pulse wave at the wrist; it can help you predict crucial events in your Cardiovascular system.
How does a Smartwatch detect blood pressure?
Smartwatches approach things differently from the traditional arm cuff. They depend on nifty sensors such as phot plethysmography (PPG) which utilizes light to detect the modification of blood flow within one’s wrist.
It means that the watch can check for changes and guess your blood pressure. That is how one can know his/her health status without necessarily visiting the doctor. “I must say this is indeed smart“, however, It is crucial to keep in mind that these gadgets are only approximations and can’t replace a visit to your doctor.
Smartwatches also have ECG sensors that can detect and show the electrical activity generated by the heart, but blood pressure measurements cannot be taken using them directly.
Optical vs. Electrical Sensors in Smartwatch: What’s the Difference?
PPG Sensor
To estimate blood pressure, smartwatches have two main types of sensors: optical and electrical. Optical sensor uses the light that shines on your wrist skin and how much bounces back as we explained about the PPG sensor. This can provide information about varying blood flows yet not direct blood pressure readings.
ECG Sensor
Electrical sensors make use of minute electric currents to determine how narrow or wide your arteries become with each pulse of blood. By contrast, these kinds tend to be a little more accurate but may need a tighter more “cuff-like” fit which is less friendly to continuous wear. Knowing these distinctions will go a long way in managing your expectations when it comes to taking your blood pressure readings using a Smartwatch.
Difference Between PPG & ECG Sensors in Smartwatch
I’ve been researching smartwatches that monitor your blood pressure, and I am undecided between those that feature PPG as well as ECG sensors.; Both seem sophisticated. The way I understand it, PPG is easier to make use of, while ECG produces much clearer results. However, the readings depend on how tightly you wear a smartwatch when monitoring blood pressure, which makes it uncomfortable.
Accuracy of Blood Pressure Readings in Smartwatches
There are ads that we all have seen; sleek smartwatches that will measure your blood pressure as you move. As a wearable tech addict, I had no patience for the thick arm cuff! However, my attempt to unravel this mystery revealed a different story.
Smartwatches are designed differently from ordinary cuffs which blow up to constrict blood flow. They use high-tech algorithms and light sensors to examine the pulse wave. While it is innovative, it has been found in numerous instances that such readings are usually wrong and unreliable, especially in individuals who have hypotension or hypertension.
Here’s an analogy: Imagine trying to tell how someone’s mood by just looking at their feet. You would be able to guess something close but not exactly correct. So too does a smartwatch blood pressure check give you some insight, but don’t rely on it alone in 2024.
Tips to Use Smartwatch for Accurate Blood Pressure Readings
- The key to a relaxed state is just like a doctor’s office. Don’t take readings while exercising, directly after caffeine, or when you’re stressed out. Before starting, find a quiet place, sit in a comfortable position, and take several deep breaths.
- Hold your arm so your smartwatch is at the same level as your chest. That’s a good position for many smartwatch blood pressure readings. Check your device’s instructions for the best way to position it.
- Although smartwatch readings for blood pressure are not perfect, they can be useful for tracking trends. watch how they vary through time and talk with your doctor about any troubling patterns.
The Future of Blood Pressure Monitoring in Wearable Tech
The ability of smartwatches to measure blood pressure without requiring an arm cuff is revolutionary in the wearable world today. As of now, smartwatches rely on PPG and ECG sensors that are already giving us useful information but are not as accurate as a traditional arm cuff, But accuracy can be achieved by using both technologies together. Therefore, there are a few best smartwatches available that use PPG and ECG technologies together.
Conclusion
In summary, though a smartwatch cannot replace professional visits to a Doctor, it can help track patterns and provide insights regarding your cardiovascular system since it measures the readings for blood pressure. By knowing how smartwatches measure blood pressure and using them the right way, you can get the most out of this cool feature. Thus tell me, are you in any way thinking of finding a brand that can be able to record data on your blood pressure?