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Vital Signals puts continuous blood pressure monitoring into a ring
Vital Signals, a US health-tech startup founded by former Android and Nextbit executive Tom Moss, has launched the Signal Ring, a wearable designed to offer continuous blood pressure monitoring rather than general fitness tracking. Moss developed the device after being hospitalised with a dangerously high blood pressure reading and being unable to find an accurate, all-day monitoring option, teaming up with engineers from pulse sensor firm Masimo to build it. It matters because it targets a serious health need often overlooked by wellness-focused wearables, and could eventually play a role in preventative care for people with hypertension or other cardiac conditions.
The ring uses largely industry-standard hardware but relies on proprietary algorithms that Vital Signals claims offer more accurate, drift-free readings than rivals such as Samsung's Galaxy Watch, which require regular cuff recalibration. It passively tracks blood pressure throughout the day and allows manual readings alongside lifestyle context such as exercise, food, smoking or caffeine. The company is pursuing regulatory clearance rather than relying on the FDA's recent moves to loosen requirements for optical blood pressure sensors, and says it will not charge a subscription or add AI features, though data can be exported. The Signal Ring is available to pre-order now for $399, comes in US sizes 5 to 13 with a three-day battery life and a four-charge case, and is expected to ship from October at the earliest.
In short
- Vital Signals launches the Signal Ring for continuous blood pressure monitoring.
- Founder built it after his own hypertension health scare.
- Pre-orders open now at $399; shipping expected from October.
Explained simply
Blood pressure is the force of blood against your artery walls, and high blood pressure (hypertension) is a major health risk that often goes unnoticed because people typically feel no symptoms. Most people check their blood pressure occasionally at a surgery or clinic, but continuous monitoring throughout the day can reveal patterns and help catch dangerous spikes before they cause serious harm. This is especially important for people at risk of heart disease or stroke.
Vital Signals is a technology company founded by Tom Moss, who previously worked on Android and other tech projects. He created the Signal Ring after his own hospitalisation with dangerously high blood pressure, when he discovered there were no good everyday devices for continuous monitoring. The company brought in engineers from Masimo, a firm specialising in pulse-sensing technology, to develop the product.
Most smartwatches and fitness trackers are designed to track general fitness rather than medical conditions, though a few now include blood pressure monitoring features. Those that do monitor blood pressure, such as Samsung's Galaxy Watch, typically require occasional recalibration with a traditional cuff to stay accurate. The Signal Ring is designed to work continuously throughout the day without that recalibration, using specially developed algorithms that the company claims maintain accuracy over time.