Withings Launches New iPhone-Connected Blood Pressure Monitors

[MacRumors]

Withings, known for its range of iPhone-connected health devices, today announced the launch of two new blood pressure monitors, the BPM Core and the BPM Connect.

The BPM Connect, available today at Apple retail stores and through the Apple online store, is an updated version of the classic Withings blood pressure monitor. It's designed to make it simple to take and view cardiovascular readings at home and share them with medical professionals when necessary.

According to Withings, the BPM Connect is cleared by the FDA and is designed to provide accurate measurements of heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure using color-coded feedback to provide instant information.

With the BPM Connect, it is no longer necessary to have a smartphone to view and interpret the results as they're displayed directly on the device. Data will, however, sync with the Withings Health Mate app over Bluetooth or WiFi.

Withings is also launching the BPM Core, which is available today in Europe and will be launching in the United States later this year after it is cleared by the FDA.

The BPM Core is the first over-the-counter all-in-one device that can measure blood pressure, record an electrocardiogram, and listen to the heart using a digital stethoscope. It takes just 90 seconds to take all three readings.

Withings says the BPM Core is designed to let users detect serious heart conditions like atrial fibrillation or valvular heart disease. It features an LED display and advanced syncing options to make it easy to take, view, and share cardiovascular readings.

BPM Core is priced at EUR249.95/£229.95 and can be purchased exclusively from Apple Stores (or the online store) in Europe, as well as through the Withings website in Europe. It will come to the U.S. later this year.

Withings BPM Connect, the new blood pressure monitor available now in the United States, can be purchased from Apple, Amazon, or Withings for $99.95. It is also available in Europe for EUR99.95/£89.95.

Article Link: Withings Launches New iPhone-Connected Blood Pressure Monitors

 

[Mike MA]

I see this useful as data can reliably be recorded and crawled through locally. Best example could be my mother currently being equipped with both an iPhone and blood pressure monitor.

 

[stanman64]

My blood pressure would be higher from worrying about my blood pressure every waking moment.

I prefer to take the proper meds, but then go on with my life and forget about it for a bit without a constant reminder on my wrist every time it goes up a little for some reason.

This health tracking stuff is fine I guess, but unfortunately I’m the type who would be checking it all the time addictively.

I don’t know if you’re implying these devices will be worn at all times or not, but I highly doubt they are meant to be. No one would want to wear a blood pressure cuff around their arm all day and generally no one needs to monitor their blood pressure that closely/frequently.

You’d only know your blood pressure whenever you put the cuff on and take it, just like any other bp monitor.

 

[JosephAW]

Since I have begun my treatment of hypertension taking daily bp readings have become part of the routine.
It would be nice to have my vitals automatically entered instead of manually entering them.
IDK if the cheaper model would be just as accurate as the high end. Don't need a lot of bells and whistles.
Been using the SmartBP app to record my data. Seems to work well.

 

[spazzcat]

Since I have begun my treatment of hypertension taking daily bp readings have become part of the routine.
It would be nice to have my vitals automatically entered instead of manually entering them.
IDK if the cheaper model would be just as accurate as the high end. Don't need a lot of bells and whistles.
Been using the SmartBP app to record my data. Seems to work well.

I have their first-gen BP checker, Its great to have years of checking saved in Apple Health and if my Doc wanted it, I could email him the readings from their app.

 

[mannyvel]

I don’t know if you’re implying these devices will be worn at all times or not, but I highly doubt they are meant to be.

There is actually one blood pressure monitor that does continuous monitoring. And yes, there are people who are unhealthy and need to constantly think about their medical issues. And yes, worrying about high blood pressure makes your blood pressure go up.

 

[tennisproha]

It would be great if they were actually accurate. Most of these have terrible accuracy and consistency.

 

[JosephAW]

I have their first-gen BP checker, Its great to have years of checking saved in Apple Health and if my Doc wanted it, I could email him the readings from their app.

I read reviews of the Withings, Qardio, and Omron apps and they all sound horrible or the equipment is giving inaccurate reading. I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on equipment that won't work right or sync with Apple Health. Otherwise I'll just keep entering my data manually with my existing monitors.

 

[DailySlow]

It would be great if they were actually accurate. Most of these have terrible accuracy and consistency.

The Omron cuff I checked out (with app) is consistently 15 high in diastolic - had 2 doctors and two professional RNs do BP and verified this, at their offices. Hopefully this would be more accurate but why would it?

 

[JosephAW]

After reading all the reviews I wasn't sure which direction to go. So I checked out what was available locally at Walmart.
They had the Omron models and an Equate models on the shelf.

The Equate app seemed to have good reviews so I went with the 8000 series for a few reasons:
1. I wanted regular AA batteries not internal nonreplacable rechargable batteries so I got the 8000 model and not the cuff 8500 model.
2. The app supports iOS 10
3. It has a separate cuff from the electronics so the cuff should be replaceable. Cuff will fit my large arm.
4. Price point was within budget and purchased using my CareCredit card that Walmart accepts.
5. Large backlit display and sleek black design.

Device has some nice features after unpacking and use:
1. On initial set up the internal clock is automatically set to my iPhone via app and Bluetooth. You don't have to add a Bluetooth device under settings, it automatically connects from the app and I can be listening to music via Bluetooth and using the device
2. It has a two user button on device and app. You can reset the history for selected user on the device.
3. It has a single sample and multiple sample average switch to get an accurate reading.
4. Optional voice guide function to walk you thru each step and read back results. Quiet female voice. Colored light scale for hypertension levels, green yellow and red.
5. Memory button to read back last and subsequent results with date and time and user.
6. If batteries are removed data is not lost. Auto shutoff. Clock can be manually set without an iPhone.
7. Included AC adaptor and carry bag. Quick start guide and decent manual with troubleshooting chart.
8. If data is not synced at reading, it can be resynced later to app. It says it syncs with Apple's health kit. App has to be open in order to sync with device.
9. Unlike my manual bp reader which pumps up really high (200+) and then deflates to get vitals this does the opposite, it slowly inflates until SYS cap is reached and then deflates and is finished. Hurts arm less, more gentle.
10. Has irregular heartbeat detection.
11. As far as I can tell the app has not phoned home. (Wifi off) No cellular data has been requested, it asked me once if I liked it the app/device and if I wanted to rate it.

So far the vitals that it reads for me are close to my manual BP device. I'm pleased with the results so far.
That's my initial reaction.

Update: transmits bp to HealthKit but not pulse. Have to manually enter that?

 

[harriska2]

After reading all the reviews I wasn't sure which direction to go. So I checked out what was available locally at Walmart.
They had the Omron models and an Equate models on the shelf.

The Equate app seemed to have good reviews so I went with the 8000 series for a few reasons:
1. I wanted regular AA batteries not internal nonreplacable rechargable batteries so I got the 8000 model and not the cuff 8500 model.
2. The app supports iOS 10
3. It has a separate cuff from the electronics so the cuff should be replaceable. Cuff will fit my large arm.
4. Price point was within budget and purchased using my CareCredit card that Walmart accepts.
5. Large backlit display and sleek black design.

Device has some nice features after unpacking and use:
1. On initial set up the internal clock is automatically set to my iPhone via app and Bluetooth. You don't have to add a Bluetooth device under settings, it automatically connects from the app and I can be listening to music via Bluetooth and using the device
2. It has a two user button on device and app. You can reset the history for selected user on the device.
3. It has a single sample and multiple sample average switch to get an accurate reading.
4. Optional voice guide function to walk you thru each step and read back results. Quiet female voice. Colored light scale for hypertension levels, green yellow and red.
5. Memory button to read back last and subsequent results with date and time and user.
6. If batteries are removed data is not lost. Auto shutoff. Clock can be manually set without an iPhone.
7. Included AC adaptor and carry bag. Quick start guide and decent manual with troubleshooting chart.
8. If data is not synced at reading, it can be resynced later to app. It says it syncs with Apple's health kit. App has to be open in order to sync with device.
9. Unlike my manual bp reader which pumps up really high (200+) and then deflates to get vitals this does the opposite, it slowly inflates until SYS cap is reached and then deflates and is finished. Hurts arm less, more gentle.
10. Has irregular heartbeat detection.
11. As far as I can tell the app has not phoned home. (Wifi off) No cellular data has been requested, it asked me once if I liked it the app/device and if I wanted to rate it.

So far the vitals that it reads for me are close to my manual BP device. I'm pleased with the results so far.
That's my initial reaction.

Update: transmits bp to HealthKit but not pulse. Have to manually enter that?

Any updates on this product. Looking to get one for hubby.

 

[JosephAW]

Any updates on this product. Looking to get one for hubby.

Not that I've seen. Equate product reads a little high but that might be me.