Validated BP Monitors: Clinical, Policy, and Procurement Guidance

Use monitors you can rely on – validated by BIHS, recommended by the NHS

As health professionals, accurate blood pressure measurement is one of the most powerful tools we have in preventing and managing cardiovascular disease. The British and Irish Hypertension Society (BIHS) maintains the gold-standard list of validated blood pressure monitors. The approved list is maintained through a review of published validations where investigators have followed a recognised BIHS or similar European or International validation protocol.

These are the devices that:

Meet internationally recognised validation protocols
Are recommended by NICE and NHS England
Are appropriate for use in both clinical and home settings

The BIHS Approved Monitor List can be found at the bottom of this page.

The approved list is a comprehensive list of monitors that have been validated but does not take into account price, availability, ease of use or additional features such as electronic recording, communication and display of measurements over time. As such the list does not provide any information on a “best buy”.

For transparency, we also list monitors that we have been unable to approve based on evidence of protocol violations in published validation studies. Devices no longer available are moved to the arhcived list. Note that these devices may still provide the justification for approved derivative devices that are listed.

Monitor Life and Recalibration

There is evidence that the accuracy of automated BP monitors degrades over time. As a result, manufacturers recommend regular recalibration of monitors. However, this can be inconvenient and expensive for individuals who have bought a home monitor for personal use.

For monitors used in clinical environments (including hospitals, GP surgeries and pharmacies), the manufacturers’ instructions for monitors should be followed. Formal recalibration annually should be regarded as a minimum.

For home monitors, real world evidence¹ suggests that monitors should be replaced after a maximum of four years of use with a suitably validated replacement. However, they should be replaced sooner if there is evidence of damage, particularly to the cuff, or concern about accuracy.

¹ Hodgkinson et al. Accuracy of blood-pressure monitors owned by patients with hypertension (ACCU-RATE study): a cross-sectional, observational study in central England. Br J Gen Pract 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp20X710381

For Procurement and Commissioning Teams

When buying monitors for your service, practice, or institution:

Use only devices on the BIHS approved list
Avoid devices with unverified claims, especially those not independently tested

The BIHS list is continually reviewed and updated. Manufacturers must apply for equivalence approval if a device is cosmetically updated.

For Manufacturers

Due to a large backlog of validations, new validations are suspended until further notice. Please contact us and we will add your device to a waiting list.

Technology Leadership: The Future of BP Monitoring

Technology for blood pressure measurement including through “wearable” devices such as watches and rings that provide long-term measures of blood pressure is advancing rapidly. Evaluation of this technology requires special consideration. The BIHS is modernising its approach to reflect the digital health era. BlHS is positioning itself as a scientific advisor and trusted partner for digital hypertension management, clinical governance and innovation, to lead on:

Evaluating emerging devices, including wearables (e.g. watches and rings)
Providing position statements on new technologies
Supporting policy development around AI-driven BP monitoring

We are actively engaging with:

Government advisory panels
Device manufacturers and innovators
NHS procurement frameworks

Definition of Wearable Devices

Devices for personal use such as rings, watches and wristbands which offer continuous or repeated automatic BP measurement measured by means other than a pneumatic cuff
We do not include ambulatory blood pressure monitors; these use existing technology, can be validated using existing international protocols, and may be considered as professional devices
Similarly, some personal cuff-based devices, such as watches, may be worn but we exclude these for the same reasons

Blood Pressure Wearables - Holding Position

The British & Irish Hypertension Society (BIHS) is aware of the rapid growth in blood pressure “wearables” and digital monitoring devices. At present, BIHS does not have a formal validation process for wearable devices. Our current validation and endorsement processes apply only to conventional arm- and wrist-cuff blood pressure monitors.

However, we recognise the potential of wearable technology and AI-driven solutions to transform blood pressure detection, monitoring, and self-management.

For this reason:

BIHS is actively developing a framework for assessing wearables, building on international standards and our long-standing role in validating conventional devices.
In late 2025, BIHS will convene a high-level stakeholder engagement event with regulators, policymakers, NHS leaders, academic experts, and industry representatives to define standards and expectations for wearable blood pressure monitoring.
This process will inform the creation of formal review pathways for wearables and digital technologies, ensuring that future recommendations are robust, transparent, and in line with BIHS’s mission to protect patients and support clinical best practice.
Until these processes are in place, BIHS cannot endorse or approve any wearable blood pressure devices. Patients, clinicians, and organisations are advised to continue using devices listed on the BIHS validated monitor list which remains the gold standard for accuracy and reliability.

Coming Soon

We are building a dynamic, searchable tool to replace the static spreadsheet – helping users find devices by use case, population group, or clinical setting. This will support procurement, practice, and patient guidance alike.

Join us in shaping the future of hypertension management. Whether you’re selecting devices, influencing policy, or developing new technologies – BIHS is here to guide, validate, and support.

While we are building this tool, revising and updating the list, you can access a spreadsheet of validated devices HERE