This Wearable Aims to Improve Your Blood Pressure. It’s Now in the US, and I Got a First Look

A wearable device worn on the wrist could be the next frontier in managing high blood pressure — and early data from Europe shows it actually works. Hilo Core, a continuous blood pressure monitoring system, has launched in the United States after European users demonstrated clinically significant improvements in their readings over six months. The company behind the device, Hilo (founded in Israel with operations in the UK), describes it as a medical-grade wearable that provides real-time blood pressure tracking without the need for a traditional cuff. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects nearly half of US adults and is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. Until now, most at-home monitoring has relied on intermittent, uncomfortable cuff measurements. The Hilo Core uses a unique combination of optical sensors and machine learning algorithms to estimate systolic and diastolic pressure continuously throughout the day. In a European pilot study — results of which were shared exclusively with CNET — participants who wore the device for at least eight hours per day saw a notable drop in their average blood pressure after six months. While exact figures have not been released publicly, the company claims the improvements meet or exceed those seen with standard lifestyle interventions. The US debut marks Hilo Core's first expansion outside Europe, where it was previously available in Germany, Switzerland, and the UK. The device is sold as a subscription service: users pay a monthly fee for the band and access to a companion app that logs readings, trends, and personalized tips. No word yet on insurance coverage, but Hilo says it is exploring partnerships with telehealth providers. For now, early adopters in the US can pre-order the device on Hilo's website. The broader implication is that wearables are moving from fitness trackers to serious medical tools. If Hilo Core lives up to its early promise, it could shift how millions of people manage a chronic condition — reducing the need for frequent clinical visits and giving patients real-time feedback that a once-per-visit cuff reading cannot provide. However, experts caution that the device still needs rigorous FDA review; continuous blood pressure sensors have historically struggled with accuracy compared to traditional cuffs. The company says it is pursuing FDA clearance for medical use, which could open the door to formal prescription and reimbursement. In the meantime, Hilo Core represents the latest attempt to solve one of public health's toughest problems — and it may finally have the tech and the data to deliver on the promise.