A new smart ring is trying to solve one of the biggest limitations in wearable health technology by offering actual blood pressure readings without needing a traditional arm cuff.
The new Signal Ring from startup Vital Signals costs $399 and promises cuff-free blood pressure monitoring, something that popular devices like the Apple Watch still do not provide. While the Apple Watch can detect signs that may suggest hypertension, it does not display systolic and diastolic blood pressure numbers.
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According to a Bloomberg report, the Signal Ring does not require users to calibrate it with a blood pressure cuff before using the feature, which sets it apart from devices offered by companies such as Samsung and Whoop. Those products need an initial cuff reading and regular recalibration to maintain accuracy, while Vital Signals says its ring works without that extra step.
“This whole company exists because I almost died from undiagnosed hypertension. Blood pressure is the most important health metric that you can track for living long and healthy lives.”
Signal Ring focuses on people with hypertension
Vital Signals designed the Signal Ring mainly for people who already have hypertension or those who face a higher risk of developing it. The ring records blood pressure throughout the day and also tracks overnight readings, helping users understand how their numbers change after exercise, stress, coffee, or sleep. The companion app for iPhone and Android displays detailed graphs, while users can also sync data with Apple Health and Google Health.
According to Bloomberg, users still get the most accurate readings by sitting quietly and starting a manual measurement session. The app even includes breathing exercises and pauses the reading if it detects movement or talking because both can affect blood pressure results.
“Fundamentally, there’s almost no real way for you to truly know your blood pressure as a consumer, and it’s kind of crazy.”
The company plans to ship the consumer version in October after opening preorders, while a medical-grade version that can diagnose hypertension is already undergoing clinical testing at Stanford University and other research sites.
Vital Signals also says it will not charge a subscription fee, making the one-time purchase cover all of the ring’s health features. Although the company admits the device has not received FDA clearance yet and is still refining battery life and performance, the Signal Ring introduces a feature that many users have wanted from the Apple Watch for years.
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