Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a vital part of diagnosing high blood pressure. Current devices are outdated, obtrusive, make users self-concious, and give the users no control over their operation. Users find themselves embarrassed to wear them in public because of the way they look and the noise they make, which goes against doctors' advice to carry out a normal day whilst undertaking the test. Furthermore, readings are taken at fixed times, giving the user no control over when they occur. As a result, measurements are often taken at inopportune moments, making the user stressed, and therefore increasing their blood pressure and affecting the measurement.
CARDEA addresses these issues. The device is designed to be discrete, more-user friendly, and give more accurate results due to flexible measurement times. CARDEA makes the experience of undergoing a 24-hour blood pressure monitor test far less intrusive and stressful. It comes in the form of an arm based monitor attached to a cuff, which measures the user's blood pressure and stores readings, and a wearable peripheral device which acts as the interface between the user and the monitor. The monitor is designed with the user in mind, it's hinged design fits to the size of the upper arm to make it as comfortable and discrete as possible. CARDEA presents a significant improvement over existing, outdated technology through a design which puts the user first.
