AHA Warns: Cuffless Blood Pressure Devices Not Yet Accurate for Medical Use

The American Heart Association has issued a groundbreaking scientific statement warning that cuffless blood pressure monitoring devices—including popular smartwatches, rings, patches, and fingertip monitors—are not yet accurate enough for medical diagnosis or treatment guidance. Published in the journal Hypertension and supporting the 2025 AHA/ACC High Blood Pressure Guideline, the statement highlights that while these wearable technologies show immense promise for convenient, continuous monitoring, their rapid commercialization has outpaced scientific validation. Led by Dr. Jordana Cohen of the University of Pennsylvania, the writing group emphasizes that many devices lack proven reliability in real-world scenarios like exercise, sleep, or after medication use, with factors such as arm position, skin color, and calibration timing potentially skewing results.

Despite FDA clearances for some devices, the statement reveals that up to 80% of blood pressure monitors globally have never undergone formal accuracy testing, with cuffless devices showing even lower validation rates. The American Heart Association stresses that without standardized protocols and outcome-linked research—such as correlations with cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke—readings from these devices should not be used to diagnose, track, or treat high blood pressure. This caution is critical given that hypertension affects nearly half of U.S. adults and is a leading modifiable risk factor for heart disease, kidney issues, and cognitive decline, underscoring the need for precise measurement tools.

Looking ahead, the statement calls for prioritized research into accuracy, accessibility, and affordability, noting that validated cuffless technologies could revolutionize hypertension care, especially in under-resourced communities. Key recommendations include developing transparent validation standards, ensuring privacy protections for user data, and educating both clinicians and the public. For now, patients are advised to consult their doctors about using validated blood pressure devices instead of relying solely on wearables, as inaccurate data could lead to misdiagnosis or improper treatment adjustments. The American Heart Association's stance aims to balance innovation with patient safety, urging coordinated efforts to ensure these devices enhance, rather than compromise, cardiovascular health outcomes.