Hilo, a health technology brand developed by Aktiia, has launched Hilo Core in the United States. The system is designed to provide long-term blood pressure trends rather than relying exclusively on occasional cuff-based measurements.
Hilo Core combines a lightweight wrist-worn band, a mobile application and an FDA-cleared connected blood pressure cuff. The system uses periodic cuff readings for calibration while collecting physiological signals throughout the day and overnight.
The wearable uses optical blood pressure monitoring technology based on photoplethysmography signals collected at the wrist. Photoplethysmography uses light to detect changes in blood volume, providing information that algorithms can use to estimate blood pressure patterns.
Hilo said the system can produce approximately 30 to 35 readings per day. It also places blood pressure information alongside sleep, step and heart rate data to help users understand how their daily activities and habits may relate to longer-term cardiovascular trends.
Traditional blood pressure monitoring commonly provides a reading only when a person uses an inflatable cuff. Hilo is positioning its product between conventional home blood pressure monitors and general-purpose consumer wellness wearables.
The company said its underlying technology has been developed over more than 20 years and evaluated through eight clinical studies. A related version of the technology is already used by more than 200,000 people globally.
Hilo also cited a study involving more than 30,000 users of a similar European application. According to the company, users with greater engagement experienced as much as five times the reduction in systolic blood pressure over six months compared with less engaged participants.
The results indicate an association between platform engagement and blood pressure improvements but do not establish that Hilo alone caused those changes. Outcomes can also depend on medication adherence, diet, physical activity and other medical or lifestyle factors.
Hilo Core is initially being marketed as a wellness product intended to support awareness and lifestyle optimization. It is not being presented as a replacement for medical diagnosis, professional treatment or clinically directed blood pressure monitoring.
The company plans to develop the technology into a regulated medical platform in the future. Any expanded medical uses would remain subject to regulatory review and authorization.
Hilo recently secured a $19 million extension to its Series B financing, bringing its total funding to more than $119 million. The round included a new investment from Dell Family Office and additional support from existing investors.
The system became available nationwide on July 21, 2026. Hilo Core costs $89.99 for the hardware and requires a $149.99 annual subscription, bringing the first-year cost to $239.98.
The product has been preapproved for Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account eligibility. Consumers should confirm that a purchase qualifies under the specific rules of their individual account or plan.
KEY QUOTES:
“Hilo stands out from a clinical perspective because it makes it easier for individuals with hypertension to understand and manage a condition that often goes unnoticed.”
“High blood pressure is frequently asymptomatic, yet over time it can lead to serious complications like heart disease and stroke. By providing consistent, longitudinal insights, Hilo Core helps both individuals with hypertension and clinicians better understand how lifestyle and treatment decisions are impacting blood pressure, enabling earlier, more informed intervention.”
Dr. Marat Fudim, Associate Professor of Cardiology at Duke University and Medical Advisor to Hilo
“Hilo represents a fundamental shift in how we approach blood pressure, especially in the U.S., where nearly half of adults live with hypertension and many remain undiagnosed or undertreated.”
“For too long, blood pressure has been measured in isolated moments, leaving critical gaps in understanding. By moving to long-term, real-world insights, we’re empowering people and their care teams to take earlier, more informed action and fundamentally change how cardiovascular health is managed.”
“And not only does Hilo provide a more comprehensive view it also puts less daily dependency on the inflatable cuff, a technology developed in 1881 that is not exactly most convenient and comfortable in day-to-day life.”
Stefan Petzinger, CEO of Hilo by Aktiia
