Review: Blood pressure monitoring with the Braun ActivScan 9

Keeping track of your blood pressure can be highly beneficial, particularly with a family history of hypertension or as one ages. Blood pressure reflects the force exerted on blood vessel walls as blood circulates from the heart throughout the body and back. Elevated blood pressure forces the heart to work harder and poses potential health risks if left unmanaged. Uncontrolled hypertension significantly increases the risk of stroke, as well as the likelihood of heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease, dementia, and impaired peripheral circulation. According to a study by 3GEM Research/insight commissioned by Braun, a surprisingly high 63% of Europeans rarely or never monitor their blood pressure, despite its ease and importance. Furthermore, one in four Swedes experiences high blood pressure.

According to 1177 (the Swedish Healthcare Guide), risk factors for high blood pressure include:

• tobacco smoking
• high cholesterol levels
• diabetes
• severe obesity
• poor diet
• sedentary lifestyle
• high alcohol consumption
• high salt intake.

Factors beyond individual control include:

• age
• gender
• hereditary predisposition to cardiovascular disease at an early age.

Traditionally, blood pressure measurement required a visit to a healthcare professional or proficiency in using a stethoscope. Modern technology has significantly simplified this process. With readily available pulse monitoring via devices like the Apple Watch, integrated pedometers in FitBit, and location tracking through Google Maps, convenient blood pressure monitoring is now accessible. Automatic blood pressure monitors enable individuals to conveniently measure their blood pressure at home and track trends over time. Braun is a well-established brand in pharmacies, and they are now introducing the ActivScan 9 (model BUA7200) alongside the more streamlined iCheck 7 (which will be featured in a giveaway on our site later this fall).

The ActivScan 9 features a sleek, contemporary design and exudes quality with its color screen and intuitive menu navigation. It incorporates a user-friendly cuff that easily clips onto the arm and secures with Velcro. Like previous Braun blood pressure monitors, this device operates on four LR6 batteries (included), offering portability. However, this battery choice feels somewhat dated for a flagship product in 2018. A rechargeable Li-Ion battery and a USB power connection (for charging, updates, and data transfer to a computer) would have been preferred.

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), with systolic (upper blood pressure, measured during heart contraction) and diastolic (lower blood pressure, measured during heart relaxation) pressures being the primary indicators, along with pulse rate (heartbeats per minute). Medical understanding of hypertension continues to evolve. Current understanding suggests that systolic blood pressure is a critical factor, particularly for individuals over 50 years of age, and should ideally remain below 140 mmHg. Diastolic pressure should be below 90 mmHg. The ActivScan 9 uses a color-coded system to classify readings: green (normal) for readings below 135/85 mmHg, yellow (monitor) for readings below 169/99 mmHg, orange (elevated, seek medical advice) for readings below 179/109 mmHg, and red (seek immediate treatment) for readings above 180/110 mmHg. Unlike some previous models, the ActivScan 9 displays results through a color-coded heart image. Notably, the ActivScan 9 appears more sensitive than previous models, requiring precise arm positioning (ideally at heart level, using the left arm). In our tests with a panel of participants aged 40 to 70 years, the ActivScan 9 consistently measured approximately 15% higher than our reference Braun BP6200.

Stylish and neat – but why only room for two profiles in such a modern interface?

The color-coded menu system on the display is visually appealing and generally intuitive. However, the inclusion of text labels alongside the icons would enhance clarity, as the meaning of some icons may not be immediately obvious. Navigation is performed via a rotating knob with a click function, which provides a surprisingly smooth user experience. A limitation is the software’s capacity for only two user profiles, which may be insufficient for larger families. Expanding the profile storage capacity seems feasible, as only numerical data is being saved. Another notable point is that the ActivScan 9 does not prompt for gender or age input during profile setup. This is surprising, given that both are recognized risk factors for hypertension. The Braun Healthy Heart app (available for iOS and Android) allows users to supplement their profile with this information and to update the device software. While the app is generally well-designed, requiring smartphone integration may not be ideal for all users. Integrating age and gender input directly into the device’s system would be preferable. A future firmware update may address this.

Braun Healthy Heart App – recommended that you download it (free)

Summary: The Braun ActivScan 9 is a well-designed, user-friendly blood pressure monitor suitable for home use, offering modern aesthetics and useful functionality. It appears to provide slightly higher readings compared to previous models, potentially indicating a more conservative approach to alerting users to potential issues. Improvements could include a rechargeable battery, USB connectivity, increased user profile storage, and the integration of gender, age, and potentially BMI data directly into the device. While the smartphone app addresses some of these shortcomings (offering features for tracking diet, exercise, sleep, and stress), direct integration would be beneficial. The ActivScan 9 represents a notable investment but offers a comfortable and appealing blood pressure monitoring experience.

It’s a worthwhile investment for proactively monitoring an important aspect of your health.