I have always been against attempts to use a smartphone to measure blood pressure. But I must admit that I became a big fan of this app, Shen Health, ever since I compared the results of its assessment of my blood pressure with my Omron. Though it means nothing globally, the close to the same results meant a lot to me.
Though Shen Health does not substitute my regular blood pressure monitor, I use the app when I am on the go and want to run a quick check of my pulse, blood pressure, HRV, and cardiac stress. The app scans my face and analyzes subtle changes in skin color that occur with each heartbeat, in a spectacular process that takes about a minute.
Everybody I show the app enquires about its trustworthiness. It is worth even trying to measure blood pressure on smartphone? The Shen.AI passed clinical validations in measuring heart rates and calculating the HRV. The clinical validation of its blood pressure measuring function is scheduled for next year.
Due to own positive user experience, it was my great pleasure to interview Remi Koscielny, the Co-Founder and the CEO of MX Labs, who developed the app:
Let’s start with the most important practical point: with your app, people with high blood pressure will not need a blood pressure monitor. Am I right? How do you place your app among the existing blood pressure monitors?
Our app, Heart Monitor, offers a convenient and accessible way to measure blood pressure using only a smartphone through our Shen.AI SDK. It provides a reliable alternative for regular monitoring, especially for those who may not have immediate access to traditional devices. We position our app as a complementary tool that enhances the accessibility and frequency of blood pressure monitoring, empowering users to track their health more conveniently. As Dr. Patrick Dunn from the American Heart Association highlights (in the interview to bloodpressure.me – Editor’s Remark), the future of blood pressure monitoring lies in cuffless technologies, which we believe Shen.AI is pioneering and will change how blood pressure is monitored and treated in the long term.
How does Shen.AI blood pressure measuring function compare with clinically validated monitors? Where are you in clinical validation?
Shen.AI’s blood pressure measuring function leverages advanced AI algorithms to provide accurate readings. We have conducted several studies to validate our technology against clinically approved blood pressure monitors. Our clinical validation process is ongoing, and we are continuously working to meet and exceed regulatory standards to ensure reliable and accurate health data comparable to traditional medical devices. Our goal is to have a medically certified device by 2025.
I must admit I am an avid user of your app, since I ran a ten days comparison test with an Omron monitor. If you were to explain how it works to a patient, not to a doctor, how would you do it?
Our technology for vital-signs measurement works by using your smartphone’s camera to capture a video stream of the face. The technology relies on rPPG (remote photoplethysmography) to analyze subtle changes in skin color that occur with each heartbeat. Using this information, it estimates your blood pressure and other health indices. It’s a simple, non-invasive process that takes just 60 seconds. You just need to sit still, look at your phone, and let the app do the rest. It works entirely on the edge, meaning no data is stored or sent to the cloud, ensuring your privacy.
There are other things your app shows, HRV and cardiac stress, what are they? What exactly can a hypertension patient do with these numbers?
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) measures the variation in time between each heartbeat, which is an indicator of your autonomic nervous system’s health. Cardiac stress reflects how hard your heart is working. For hypertension patients, monitoring HRV and cardiac stress can provide insights into their overall cardiovascular health and stress levels. By tracking these metrics, patients can make lifestyle changes to reduce stress, improve heart health, and better manage their blood pressure.
How many use the app now? What do you know about your users?
The Heart Monitor App started as a demo of our technology but quickly gained traction entirely organically, now with over 250,000 downloads. We currently serve about 40,000 scans per month to thousands of users globally. Our user base is diverse, ranging from individuals seeking convenient health monitoring solutions to those managing chronic conditions like hypertension.
Let’s talk about health data ethics and security. How do you use the health data of the users? What is the consent process? How do you anonymize and secure? How big is your current dataset?
We prioritize user privacy and data security. Shen.AI works entirely on a user device with zero cloud dependency in real-time. That means that no data is send outside not even stored on device.
What limitations does the app have in measuring the user’s blood pressure?
While our technology provides a convenient and non-invasive way to monitor blood pressure, it is important to follow the same guidelines as for traditional, cuff-based blood pressure monitors. Factors such as lighting conditions, user movement, and improper positioning can affect accuracy. For the most precise readings, we recommend using our app in a well-lit environment and following the in-app instructions carefully. Despite these limitations, our app offers high accuracy, confirmed by external sources, and maintains performance even in poor lighting conditions, inclusively for all skin tone colors, thanks to our Multi-Tonal Sensing Technology.
What do you hope to achieve with this app?
Our goal with the Heart Monitor app is to make health monitoring more accessible and convenient for everyone. By providing an easy-to-use tool for regular blood pressure and heart health checks, we aim to empower users to take control of their health, make informed decisions, and ultimately improve their well-being. We strive to bridge the gap between traditional healthcare and modern technology, making vital health information readily available at the touch of a button. In line with the insights from the American Heart Association, we aim to stay ahead in technological advancements, particularly in cuffless blood pressure monitoring, to revolutionize how blood pressure is monitored and treated in the long term.
