4 Tips for Choosing the Right Blood Pressure App
{Fehler für :template{template="presse/icon200" param1="blutdruckdaten" param2=" Auswertung der Blutdruckwerte"}Blood pressure apps are useful tools for people who want to monitor their blood pressure regularly. They can help record, store and analyze readings. They can also offer tips and advice for a healthy lifestyle. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) recommend self-measurement and highlight the benefits of using apps in their guidelines.
Tips
But how do you find the right blood pressure app for you? Here are some criteria to consider:
- Quality and safety: The app should come from a reputable source and ensure strong data protection. Readings should not be shared with third parties without consent or used for advertising. The app should also be updated and improved regularly.
{graphic="{-%-5/%/}" style="width: 24px; height: 24px;" border="0" align="absmiddle" /} BloodPressureDB has stood for quality and safety since 2011. It is one of the few apps that even carries the seal of the German Hypertension League. - Compatibility and ease of use: The app should be compatible with your smartphone or tablet and offer a simple, intuitive interface. It should also let you sync readings from an external blood pressure monitor or enter them manually.
{graphic="{-%-6/%/}" style="width: 24px; height: 24px;" border="0" align="absmiddle" /} BloodPressureDB is available for Android devices, Apple (iOS) devices and as a browser-compatible web app, ensuring maximum compatibility. In addition to manual entry, Bluetooth monitors from many manufacturers are supported. - Features and content: A blood pressure app should do more than just display readings. It should include graphical displays of blood pressure trends, a reminder function for measurements and a data export feature. The app should also provide information and tips on blood pressure, hypertension and prevention.
{graphic="{-%-9/%/}" style="width: 24px; height: 24px;" border="0" align="absmiddle" /} BloodPressureDB offers not only that but much more: e.g. medication tracking, inventory management and reminders to take your medicines. - Reviews and experience: Do other users rate and recommend the app? You should read the comments and reviews to get an impression of the app's quality and reliability.
{graphic="{-%-10/%/}" style="width: 24px; height: 24px;" border="0" align="absmiddle" /} BloodPressureDB has been downloaded millions of times and has a correspondingly large number of customer reviews. In addition, professional groups such as pharmacists and doctors are happy to recommend the BloodPressureDB app.
Does an app need approval as a medical device?
Unfortunately, the approval criteria for medical devices have changed, so this question can no longer be answered with a simple yes. BloodPressureDB was approved as a Class I medical device under the MDD. However, with the introduction of the Medical Device Regulation (MDR), the classification of software changed. There is a provision known in professional circles as the notorious Rule 11:
Software intended to provide information that is used to make decisions for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes falls into Class IIa [or higher].
This means that an app that is not a medical device may be allowed to send data to a doctor. An app classified as a Class I medical device under the MDR may not do this. It's absurd, but it's the law. We have discussed this with our supervisory authority. They are aware of the problem but feel obliged to proceed this way until the law changes again. By the end of 2024 it gradually became clear that the rule would be interpreted more strictly.
The old medical device approval did not include this restriction. In future, BloodPressureDB will therefore be offered without medical device approval for the purpose of recording data. Transferring data from the app directly to the treating physician is not subject to approval requirements. Therefore we can continue to offer this in the future.
According to current regulations, an app does not necessarily have to be a medical device. If it is to be one, however, it must meet at least the requirements of Class IIa. A Class I app under the MDR is also possible, but then the data may not be used for therapy.
Conclusion
A blood pressure app can be a useful addition to monitoring your blood pressure, but it does not replace seeing your doctor or medical treatment. Our recommendation is the BloodPressureDB app.
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