French start-up Withings, which designs, develops, and industrializes connected objects, has unveiled a blood pressure monitor for the iPhone/iPad. The $129 (£83) kit includes a conventional cuff and armband which are tightened around the arm above the elbow, and then connected to the iPhone, at which point the app launches automatically. The user then simply touches the ‘Start’ button on the iPhone to take a measurement.
The Withings Blood Pressure Monitor automatically averages measurements to produce significant results. Measurement history and averages can be accessed by flipping the iPhone. Archived measurements can be accessed via the user’s secure online space on the Withings website, or via the app.
Readings can also be shared with relatives, healthcare providers or medical professionals. And through the Withings API, specialist partners can interface with the platform to offer additional services, as with Withings’ Wi-fi Body Scale, partners for which include Google Health, Microsoft HealthVault and numerous health & sports coaching websites such as DailyBurn.com, RunKeeper.com and gymtechnik.com. 
Withings notes that with hypertension affecting almost 25 per cent of the world population, blood pressure measurement can help to save lives. Until now, however, taking your blood pressure required the use of complex devices with multiple manipulations, mathematical operations and data recording procedures. Self-measurement has been recommended by the medical profession for many years, the company says, but no one had yet found concrete solutions to expand its use.
“Apple revolutionized the world of smartphones by making them more user-friendly than ever before,” says Withings co-founder, Cédric Hutchings. “By adding connectivity to high-tech devices, we simplify their usage and enrich them with extra services. Our goal is to take the drama out of using devices that can promote healthier lifestyles for all. We have achieved this with our Withings body scale, and are now repeating our success with the Withings Blood Pressure Monitor.”
