A clinical evaluation of blood pressure measurement by iHealth BP5 in pregnancy.

Objective: To evaluate the value of blood pressure measurement by the smartphone device iHealth BP5 in pregnant women in a clinical setting, as compared to the Omron M6 Comfort and aneroid manometer.

Materials And Methods: Women with a gestational age of thirty weeks or more who visited the outpatient clinic for routine visit were eligible for inclusion. For the clinical evaluation we used an adjusted form of the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol. We performed six blood pressure measurements per patient, divided over the iHealth BP5, Omron M6 Comfort and aneroid monitor. Statistical analysis consisted of repeated measurement ANOVA and Bland-Altman plots.

Results: We included 45 women. The mean blood pressure differences between all tested devices were less than ±5 mmHg. These differences did not relate to gestational age, BMI or arm circumference. Bland-Altman plots showed good agreement of both iHealth BP5 and Omron M6 Comfort, without any systematic effects, as compared to the aneroid manometer.

Conclusion: The iHealth BP5 is as good as the frequently used Omron M6 Comfort and can be used for blood pressure measurement during pregnancy.

Condensed Abstract: In 45 women the mean blood pressure differences between the Omron M6 Comfort, iHealth BP5 and the aneroid manometer were less dan ±5 mmHg. These differences did not relate to gestational age, BMI or arm circumference. Bland-Altman plots showed good agreement of both iHealth BP5 and Omron M6 Comfort, without any systematic effects, as compared to the aneroid manometer. The iHealth BP5 is as good as the frequently used Omron M6 Comfort and can be used for blood pressure measurement during pregnancy.