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Posted on Sep 08, 2018, 12 a.m.
Michigan State University researchers have invented a proof of concept blood pressure app that can provide accurate readings using a smartphone with no special equipment, as published in Scientific Reports.
By leveraging optical and force sensors already available in smartphones a practical tool has been developed to keeps tabs on blood pressure, such ubiquitous monitoring may help improve hypertension awareness and control rates which in turn may help to reduce incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality.
Smartphone technology advances may mean that add-on optical and force sensors may no longer be needed as Peek and Pop apps are standard on most iPhones and some Android models for users wanting to open functions and apps with the push of their finger.
The app could be available in 2019, although it still needs to be validated via standard regulatory testing. This app may be a game changer globally, giving patients a convenient option to take measurements and keep a daily log to produce and accurate average. As the app does not require any additional hardware it is believed that it may reach society faster, providing measurements that rival arm cuff readings.
Materials provided by Michigan State University.
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Journal Reference:
Anand Chandrasekhar, Keerthana Natarajan, Mohammad Yavarimanesh, Ramakrishna Mukkamala. An iPhone Application for Blood Pressure Monitoring via the Oscillometric Finger Pressing Method. Scientific Reports, 2018; 8 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31632-x
