RingConn Smart Ring to get sleep apnea & blood pressure tracking

RingConn’s showcase at CES 2024 has brought to light the company’s future plans. Its smart ring, already established in the domain of personal health management, is poised to introduce a few new features in 2024, including sleep apnea and cuffless blood pressure tracking.

Exploring the upcoming health features

Sleep apnea detection

The introduction of sleep apnea detection in the RingConn smart ring will be a notable advancement. Sleep apnea, characterized by intermittent breathing pauses during sleep, can lead to various health issues. Traditionally, detecting this condition has required specialized equipment. However, RingConn’s new feature will enable users to monitor their sleep patterns and potential apnea incidents more conveniently. The company is aiming to secure FDA approval for the pulse oximeter and OSAHS (Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome) monitoring features by the end of 2024.

According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, approximately 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, with 80 percent of moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea cases undiagnosed. This condition not only disrupts sleep but also increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Currently, all data produced by the smart ring is accessible through the free smartphone app. However, it appears that the sleep apnea detection feature will be part of an upcoming premium tier subscription, indicating a slight shift in RingConn’s service model.

Blood pressure tracking

Another notable update is the integration of cuffless blood pressure tracking from the finger. While a few competitors are also developing this feature, none have released it to date. Blood pressure is a vital health metric, and the ability to continuously track it through a wearable device like a ring introduces a new level of convenience and monitoring precision.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly half of adults in the United States (108 million, or 45%) have hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, the leading causes of death in the United States. The statistics highlight the critical need for effective monitoring and management of this condition.

A great Oura Ring alternative

The RingConn smart ring has emerged as a compelling alternative to the Oura Ring, particularly in terms of cost-effectiveness. Not only is the upfront cost smaller, but currently the device does not have a monthly description.

The design of the smart ring balances comfort and style, providing various size options to accommodate different users. As highlighted in our hands on review, the ring’s impressive battery life and responsive customer support significantly enhance user experience. Additionally, the ring excels in providing recovery-type data. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge a limitation: the ring’s heart rate measurement is less precise during high-intensity activities, a common issue among smart rings.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

As RingConn introduces these features in 2024, they are expected to enhance health monitoring for users significantly. We will offer more insights and evaluations after testing the new sleep apnea and blood pressure tracking functionalities, as and when they become available.

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