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Brand new smart ring Signal ringIt was launched on Thursday with the ambitious promise of continuous blood pressure tracking without the use of an inflatable cuff or calibration. This is something that no other smart ring currently offers.
Designed to work four to five times faster than traditional blood pressure trackers, the Signal Ring, developed by startup Vital Signals, was completed in a 451-person clinical study with additional studies underway, according to Press release announcing the launch. The company says the device, which pairs with an app to provide readings, meets the “International Accuracy Standard for Blood Pressure Cuffs.”
According to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention48.1% of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, which increases the risk of stroke and heart disease. If the Signal Ring proves successful, it will be a convenient and less disruptive way for people with high blood pressure to regularly monitor their blood pressure.
Despite the company’s claims of accuracy, health experts have doubts about the upcoming device. Although Vital Signals did not reveal the exact technology used in the ring, Dr. Lindsay RosemanThe assistant professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at the UNC School of Medicine believes he will likely use PPG (photoplethysmography) light sensors, which have known limitations in providing accurate results.
“Motion can distort the signal. Darker skin colors absorb more light and can produce a weaker signal. Cold fingers or poor circulation change blood flow independently of actual blood pressure, and irregular heartbeats can distort the waveform,” Rossman said. “The fit of the ring and finger position adds more contrast.”
Roseman said she would like to examine the device’s results and see more rigorous testing to determine the accuracy of blood pressure readings.
Vital Signals did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
How effective is wearable technology for blood pressure?
Until testing is announced, it’s hard to say whether the Signal Ring is the first cuffless blood pressure tracker designed for everyday wear.
Other trackers measure blood pressure in a more traditional way, e.g Omron HeartGuidewhich inflates the cuff around the wrist to take a reading on demand. Wearable devices such as Oura ring and Apple watch It uses health metrics and trends to detect potential changes in your cardiovascular health that may indicate high blood pressure, but it does not claim to replace traditional blood pressure cuffs.
The problem is that inaccurate heart data can raise “unnecessary anxiety or false assurances,” Rossman said. She noted that even in-person clinical settings can have flaws in blood pressure readings, which are skewed by anxiety during doctor visits, known as White coat hypertension.
However, if Signal Ring can demonstrate consistent accuracy, it could represent meaningful progress, helping users detect potential issues early and improve personalized processing.
“Continuous data can reveal patterns that a single reading misses, such as night-time patterns, response to stress or medication, and trends over weeks,” Rossman said.
Signal Ring is available as a one-time purchase, with no additional subscription fees. Pre-orders for Signal ring It’s available now for $399, with initial shipments expected to begin in October. Similar to the Oura ring, the Signal ring has not been reviewed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
“Patients should talk with their doctor about how to monitor their blood pressure, and how any device fits into their overall high blood pressure management plan, rather than adopting new tools on their own,” Rossman said.
