“A Fitbit cannot track or monitor blood pressure but there are many other smartwatches that can track blood pressure accurately.”
Fitbit smartwatches and fitness trackers have many advanced health and activity tracking features such as ECG(Electrocardiogram), heart rate monitoring, stress tracking, and many more. But the question is, can Fitbit also measure blood pressure (B.P.)?
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If you are here to find out the answer to this question, you have come to the right place. Today, we will discuss everything about Fitbit Blood Pressure and if it is possible to measure blood pressure using a Fitbit device.
Fitbit Blood Pressure: Can Fitbit Monitor Blood Pressure?
No. Since Fitbit does not have a sensor to measure blood pressure, it is not possible to monitor or track blood pressure using a Fitbit device! As mentioned, Fitbit is known for its advanced health and fitness devices packed with advanced features such as ECG, irregular heart rate alerts, SpO2, sleep and stress level tracking, and many more.
The latest wearables from the company Sense 2 and Versa 4, unfortunately, also do not support blood pressure monitoring. So, you will be disappointed if you are a Fitbit fan and looking for a Fitbit device that can measure your blood pressure.
However, many other smartwatches and fitness trackers on the market can accurately track your blood pressure. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 5 are my top recommended devices if you are looking for a blood pressure monitor.
The Omron Heart Guide is the only Federal Drug Administration (FDA) cleared wearable blood pressure monitor. It uses an inflatable cuff to measure your blood pressure and gives you accurate readings. However, it does not offer other advanced health monitoring features such as Electrocardiogram(ECG) or SpO2 monitoring like in the Samsung Galaxy Watches.
Even though Samsung blood pressure monitoring watches are not approved by the FDA, our test, it offers accurate readings. So I am comfortable recommending it to our readers.
Fitbit Blood Pressure Study
In April 2021, Fitbit announced that they are working on adding blood pressure monitoring to their devices. The Fitbit Sense series may get this feature first, as it is the most advanced Fitbit wearable.
Fitbit Labs says that the Fitbit wearable can measure blood pressure by measuring Pulse Arrival Time(PAT) – the time it takes for your heartbeat to travel from your heart to your wrist. They also said that the 3-week internal study was promising and showed a linear relationship between Pulse Arrival Time and systolic blood pressure.
Now Fitbit wanted to test this feature on a larger scale with the help of voluntary public participants. To qualify for the Fitbit B.P beta test, you must have a Fitbit Sense and be a U.S. resident over 20. The company is also looking for people of different ethnicities, body types, and age groups to ensure accuracy on various demographic groups.
Benefits of Having Blood Pressure Monitoring in Smartwatches
As you may already know, hypertension or high blood pressure is Americans’ leading cause of heart disease and stroke. The best way to manage or prevent high blood pressure is to detect or manage it early. Since hypertension or high blood pressure does not show symptoms, it is often called the silent killer.
But with regular blood pressure monitoring, you can easily detect hypertension or high blood pressure in the early stages and take corrective measures to manage it. This is where wearable devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers can play a vital role.
Since smartwatches and other wearables are easy to carry and use, you can easily monitor your blood pressure regularly, and you can see your doctor at the earliest if you detect any increase in your blood pressure.
In addition, elevated stress, a leading cause of hypertension, can also be detected early with modern smartwatches from Fitbit, Apple, Samsung, etc. These smartwatches can track your heart rate and stress level using their built-in sensors and give you a warning if they detect any increase in your stress level.
So, with regular blood pressure monitoring with these smartwatches, you can easily manage or prevent hypertension and other related diseases.
1. How accurate are fitness trackers for blood pressure?
A smartwatch or fitness tracker is not a medical device, and it does not replace any medical device. However, it gives you an overview of your blood pressure so that you can see your doctor at the earliest if you detect any increase in your blood pressure.
The Omron Heart Guide is approved by the FDA and is one of the most reliable smartwatches with blood pressure monitoring in 2022. With that said, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch four also gave us accurate readings on our test.
2. Do smartwatches check blood pressure?
Yes. Smartwatches do check blood pressure but not every smartwatch. Omron Heart Guide, Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, Watch 5, and Watch 3 are some of the best smartwatches with B.P monitors.
3. Do Samsung Watches Tracks blood pressure?
Yes. The latest Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, Watch 4, and Watch 3 have many health tracking features like ECG Monitoring, fall detection, and much more. Unfortunately, as of now, the Samsung blood pressure watch is not approved by any health authorities. However, we tested the Samsung Smartwatch for its health-tracking features and found it accurate.
Final Words
So, these were some of the latest developments in the Fitbit blood pressure monitoring field. Now I hope that I was answered your question, “Can Fitbit Monitor Blood Pressure?”. If you have any further questions about Fitbit blood pressure, please feel free to ask in the comments section below.
Also Read: Can Apple Watch Measure Blood Pressure?
Saneesh VS is a tech and fitness lover who enjoys running and reviewing smartwatches and fitness trackers. He shares the latest industry news, useful tips, and buying guides. He stays active or spends time with his family when not writing or testing gadgets. Beyond his tech and fitness pursuits, Saneesh also brings a wealth of knowledge as a healthcare professional. Trust his well-rounded insights for all your tech and fitness needs.