What is the purpose of comparing a new wearable reading immediately against a validated upper-arm monitor?
To calculate the average offset the new device has
Establishing a reliable personal baseline is the crucial first step when utilizing any modern blood pressure tracking device, especially continuous ones. This process requires taking readings immediately after using a clinically validated, upper-arm, cuff-based monitor multiple times over several days. By meticulously comparing these two sets of data side-by-side, the user can accurately calculate the average offset or calibration factor that their new device exhibits—for example, discovering the watch consistently reads 4 mmHg higher than the standard. Knowing this specific calibration factor allows the user to then confidently trust the *trend* indicated by the wearable data, providing actionable information even if the absolute numerical readings are slightly skewed from the clinical standard.
