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Better known for its smartwatches and GPS navigators, Garmin is breaking new ground in health monitoring with its first smart blood pressure monitor: the Index BPM.
The first thing that strikes you is that the Index BPM (opens in new tab) is a lot more bulky than, for example, a smartwatch. One likely reason for its size is that the device fits around your biceps and provides accurate readings. while there are smartwatches that can measure blood pressure (opens in new tab)Those that do it with a cuff aren’t widely available, and those that use the pulse transit time “must be calibrated regularly with a conventional home blood pressure monitor,” Garmin says. In addition, Garmin notes, those devices usually can’t “track systolic and diastolic blood pressure,” while the Index BPM can.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (opens in new tab)Systolic blood pressure refers to the arterial pressure when your heart is pumping, and diastolic is the pressure when your heart is resting. Knowing both is important for heart health. Readings for both measurements appear on the Index’s OLED screen with the associated “SYS” and “DIA” indicators, letting you know which number it is.
The strap on the Index BPM fits a wide range of arm sizes from nine to 17 inches (22 to 42 cm) in circumference. It’s powered by four AAA batteries that Garmin says will last over nine months before needing to be replaced.
FDA-approved
When it comes to the software side, features on the Index BPM provide multiple users and ways to create reports. The device can sync with the Garmin Connect Mobile App (opens in new tab) via Wi-Fi where you can view blood pressure readings in detail, add notes and view your device’s overall history. Collected data can also be viewed as a weekly, monthly or annual report in the app.
Up to 16 different user profiles can be created for the Index BPM on the Connect app. Each profile keeps track of the measurements for each individual using the device. And that data can then be synced to other Garmin Connect apps so people can read their reports on their devices.
Garmin notes that the Index BPM has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which may lead some to believe it is not “FDA-approved.” Whenever a new medical device comes on the market, FDA tests them to make sure they are safe. (opens in new tab) If something is “FDA approved”, it means that the device works in the same way as a pre-existing device and does not require any special “pre-market approval”. “FDA-approved,” on the other hand, usually refers to medications and anything that can directly affect a person’s health.
The Index BPM is now available for $149.99 (US only) on Garmin’s Online Store (opens in new tab).
Potential new trend
Garmin may be the first to take advantage of accurate blood pressure monitoring. As mentioned, most smartwatches are not the most accurate at measuring blood pressure, even Apple struggles with the technology, more specifically accuracy. According to a Bloomberg report (opens in new tab)Apple wants to add the feature to Apple Watch, but it looks like it won’t be until 2024.
Huawei, on the other hand, seems to have gotten this technology to work. TechRadar’s very own Lance Ulanoff recently released the Huawei Watch D at the IFA 2022 event where the device took his systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Then be sure to check out our coverage.