After consistent use
I wanted to share my final feedback regarding my experience with the Hilo band a few weeks after purchase.
I purchased the device in good faith, reassured by its FDA clearance and the promise of continuous blood pressure monitoring. Unfortunately, despite recalibrations and careful use as per Hilo guidelines and feedback from customer support (who have actually been pretty responsive and have certainly tried to help) the band consistently reports elevated blood pressure readings compared to a clinically validated upper-arm cuff.
For example:
• Hilo reading:144/92
• Cuff reading (same time): 124/83
As someone titrating ADHD medication, I was highly motivated to make this work. Instead, I’ve found the algorithm amplifies natural BP variability (due to medication, activity and hormonal changes) into apparent sustained hypertension that simply isn’t borne out by clinical-grade devices. This has caused unnecessary stress and made the device counterproductive for me.
I appreciate that the technology may work well for individuals with stable BP patterns, but I believe it’s important to flag that it may not be suitable for users with variable physiology, such as those adjusting medications or experiencing hormonal changes. This limitation isn’t clear in the marketing.
Reply from Hilo by Aktiia