Cuffless blood pressure devices can support trend monitoring but should not replace validated methods for diagnosis or treatment decisions due to accuracy concerns.
Cuffless blood pressure wearables are currently suitable as adjuncts for tracking trends but require confirmation with validated upper-arm cuffs for diagnosis and treatment decisions.
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Purpose of review Cuffless blood pressure (BP) technologies have moved from concept to everyday wearables, spurred by consumer adoption and recent regulatory milestones. Yet clinicians face mixed signals on accuracy, calibration stability, and clinical use. This review synthesizes current evidence and emerging standards to clarify where cuffless data can add value. Recent findings Most devices estimate BP from surrogate signals and require periodic calibration, making outputs reliable for trends around the last calibration but less so for absolute values. New cuffless-specific validation frameworks mandate dynamic testing (position/hydrostatics, activity/exercise, awake–sleep, pharmacologic response, and prerecalibration drift). Professional bodies currently advise against diagnosis or drug titration using cuffless readings unless a device passes such protocols. Real-world studies show feasibility and patient preference but only moderate agreement with cuffs and limited outcomes data. Special populations (chronic kidney disease/dialysis, pregnancy, pediatrics/frail, diverse skin tones) introduce additional accuracy and equity concerns. Summary Cuffless wearables may be used as adjuncts to surface patterns and support engagement; diagnosis and treatment decisions must be confirmed with validated upper-arm measurements. A pragmatic “good-enough” checklist includes stable calibration over weeks, accuracy across dynamic states and subgroups, and transparent multisite validation. Priorities include harmonized standards, inclusive datasets, and trials linking cuffless monitoring to clinical outcomes.
Wehbe et al. (Mon,) reported a other. Cuffless blood pressure devices can support trend monitoring but should not replace validated methods for diagnosis or treatment decisions due to accuracy concerns.