Withings’ new premium feature helps users control their high blood pressure

Withings Blood Pressure Monitor

Withings is going beyond hardware with its latest offering. Called Hy-Result, the company’s new premium product is a sophisticated advisory algorithm that helps people interpret and assess personalized interventions that can aid in the better management of high blood pressure.

Developed by a team of hypertension specialists from Paris-based Hospital Georges Pompidou, Hy-Result analyses blood pressure data from in-home monitors to provide users with personalized assessments of their cardiovascular health. It takes into account a person’s medical data, lifestyle factors and physical statistics to identify strategies for preventative measures to heart health risks and better management of high blood pressure.

Ahead of its adoption by Withings, Hy-Result has been validated in a head-to-head clinical trial, comparing its recommendations with that of hypertension specialists. In a study published in November 2015 in the peer reviewed Blood Pressure Monitoring Journal, it was found that Hy-Result software delivered the same advice as specialist physicians 95.4% of the time. It, however, doesn’t intend to replace professional consultations with cardiologists and general practitioners, but it can certainly be used as a trusted tool by patients and their caregivers between doctor visits.

Hy-Result is available as an in-app purchase from Withings Health Mate for $4.99.In order to get started with Hy-Result, the user first answers a few questions about his/her lifestyle, medication, medical history and personal stats. Then, he/she sets a daily reminder to take three blood pressure readings in the morning and three in the evening over a 5-day period.

From this information, the protocol will provide users with personalized assessments of their cardiovascular health and identify strategies for preventative measures to heart health risks and the better management of high blood pressure. There’s also the option to share a PDF report with physicians.

“We are very proud to offer Hy-Result, which further delivers on the Withings mission to provide connected health services that are rooted in science and clinically proven to make positive impacts on health and wellbeing,” Cédric Hutchings, Withings CEO and co-founder, said in a statement.

Hy-Result can be purchased for $4.99 in the Withings Health Mate app (iOS only) from February 2016 onwards and is available in the US, Canada, UK and France in English and French.

Earlier this year, Withings released the results of an 18-month study with the American Medical Group Association (AMGA) at four medical groups (Billings Clinic, Community Physician Network, Cornerstone Health Care, P.A., and Wilmington Health) that looked at the role of connected technology in helping people to control high blood pressure. It found that patients were better able to control their high blood pressure using an at-home monitor with control rates improving from 38.6 to 70.0 percent.