Evaluation of Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Measurements from Smartwatch HUAWEI WATCH D2 Data: A Preliminary Report
TL;DR
These findings support the use of wearable devices for scheduled spot-check cardiovascular assessment under controlled conditions and underscore the need for standardized measurement protocols before their implementation in ambulatory or long-term monitoring applications.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Wearable devices offer a scalable approach to repeated cardiovascular assessment through ambulatory spot measurements and have demonstrated adequate performance in measuring heart rate (HR). However, their reliability for blood pressure (BP) assessment remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate BP and HR measurements obtained with the HUAWEI WATCH D2 smartwatch by comparison with standard reference devices under controlled postural conditions. Methods: A total of 30 participants (15 women and 15 men; age range, 21–88 years) were enrolled. One participant could not undergo smartwatch measurement because of wrist-size limitations, and measurement acquisition failed in another participant. Consequently, paired measurements obtained in the seated and upright positions were analyzed for 28 participants. Smartwatch-derived systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and HR were compared with a digital sphygmomanometer, an analog sphygmomanometer, and a digital pulse oximeter. Agreement was assessed using percentage error and Bland–Altman analysis, complemented by linear regression to evaluate proportional bias. Results: In the seated position, the smartwatch showed agreement with percentage errors below 4% for SBP and DBP, with concordance coefficients indicating good agreement. In the upright position, accuracy decreased, with percentage errors up to 14%, increased variability, wider limits of agreement, and the presence of systematic and proportional discrepancies. Measurement performance was influenced by device placement, and isolated failures highlighted sensitivity to anatomical and technical factors. Conclusions: Smartwatch-based BP monitoring is feasible under controlled conditions but remains dependent on posture and measurement conditions. These findings support the use of wearable devices for scheduled spot-check cardiovascular assessment under controlled conditions and underscore the need for standardized measurement protocols before their implementation in ambulatory or long-term monitoring applications.