Blood pressure monitor maker Omron Healthcare, Inc. unveiled a new wearable medical device at CES 2016 in Las Vegas on Monday that is the first to feature built-in blood pressure-monitoring capabilities.
Called the Project Zero Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor, the clinically-tested device tracks physical activity and sleep data in real-time, but its main selling point is that it is equipped with a blood pressure monitor that mirrors the inflatable cuff that is part of a sphygmomanometer that health professionals use to check a patient's blood pressure.
Now, consumers don't have to worry about visiting their doctor or using these traditional cuffs that come with portable devices. Instead, Project Zero features a sphygmomanometer directly inside the watch.
This feature can be important for many consumers since measuring blood pressure levels can give insights into the risk for medical conditions such as hypertension.
The health device tracks blood pressure readings in real-time, with all health data able to sync to the Omron Connect app for iOS and Android, where the user can better manage their health and share their results with their doctor.
"This new device also allows users to receive detailed data that reminds users to take medication and record the time they take it to improve and track compliance," Omron Healthcare COO Ranndy Kellogg said in a press release.
Omron is still working on completing its certification on the device, which was been FDA tested, but claims that it is accurate enough to be used even by health professionals.
Since the wearable does feature the blood pressure-monitoring capabilities, the device is a bit bulkier than other smartwatches on the market. However, this is a small price to pay for those who are serious about taking charge of their health.
Omron did not reveal the price of Project Zero, but it's expected to roll out sometime this year.
Source: Omron
