Geeks, in a historic move that shakes up the world of health wearables, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially cleared the Hilo Band—formerly known as the Aktiia G0—for over-the-counter (OTC) use. That means no prescription needed to own the first-ever FDA-cleared cuffless blood pressure monitor in the U.S.
Until now, tracking your blood pressure (BP) at home meant wrapping your arm in a clunky inflatable cuff. But with the Hilo Band, monitoring your heart health just got as easy as strapping on a watch.
What Is the Hilo Band?
The Hilo Band is a next-gen wearable that continuously measures your blood pressure using optical sensors—no air pressure, no discomfort, and no complicated setup. You’ll still need a one-time cuff-based calibration (included in the box), but after that? It’s smooth sailing. And appearance? Think Apple Watch looks with medical-grade accuracy.
Already a hit in Europe under the Aktiia name, the Hilo Band has been tested on over 130,000 global users and collected billions of optical signals to make sure the readings are precise, reliable, and ready for the real world.
Real-time Discreet Monitoring Ability
If you’ve ever struggled with keeping tabs on your blood pressure—or just avoided it altogether—this could be very useful. High blood pressure (a.k.a. hypertension) affects over 1.3 billion people worldwide and is the #1 risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Yet, it’s often missed because regular monitoring can be a pain.
The Hilo Band is looking to change that making 24/7 blood pressure tracking effortless and discreet. So if you’re commuting, working, or jogging—you’ll be in the know which is super convenient. No appointments, no stress, just real-time data you can share with your doctor through the companion app.
Backed by Science and Serious Cash
This isn’t just some indie wearable trying to go viral. Aktiia (now Hilo) just raised $42 million in Series B funding, backed by Earlybird Venture Capital and Wellington Partners. It’s also backed by 35+ patents, 120+ peer-reviewed studies, and 20 years of research from the Swiss CSEM Institute.
The Future of Cardiovascular Care, On Your Wrist?
“This is the iPhone moment for blood pressure monitoring,” said Dr. Christoph Massner of Earlybird. And we’re inclined to agree. The Hilo Band is carving out a new category in consumer-ready, medical-grade wearables—one that’s accurate, accessible, and empowering. The Hilo Band is expected to hit the U.S. market in early 2026, and yes, Geeks—we’ll be first in line to test it for you.
Power: On, Pressure: Monitored.
Follow @geekofchic for our full wearable review once the Hilo Band lands stateside. Because when tech meets health, we’ve got you covered.
Source: PR Newswire 07.09.25
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