HILO Blood Pressure Band Review: Why Continuous Monitoring Can Be Life-Saving
A while ago, my husband had a bit of a health scare. He had a constant headache and was permanently exhausted — and when I say tired, I mean completely drained. Every evening he’d come home from work, eat dinner, fall asleep on the sofa, then head straight to bed.
Alongside the fatigue came the mood. He was irritable, flat, and had absolutely no interest in doing anything. I was worried about his health, of course — but if I’m being honest, I was also starting to worry about my own sanity. Living with someone who’s permanently in a bad mood is a real test of the nerves.
Eventually — and yes, men really can be ostriches when it comes to health — after a lot of nagging from me, he finally went to see the GP. And guess what? His blood pressure was through the roof. Dangerously so.
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
I was relieved there was finally an answer — and medication — but I was also frightened by the diagnosis. Let’s face it, things get very real when it’s your blood pressure.
He was understandably gutted to be told he’d likely need medication for life, but honestly, it made a difference almost immediately. The improvements were practically overnight. His headaches eased, his energy levels slowly returned, and his mood began to regulate again — hoorah.
A Healthier Chapter (Or So We Thought)
And that was that. He was on medication and things went back to normal. In fact, the diagnosis nudged him into a much healthier way of life.
Since then — around 18 months ago — he’s joined a gym and now trains three to four times a week. He’s cut back on takeaway food, given the grog a miss, lost weight, and is far more inclined to join me on dog walks and generally engage with life again. A very welcome change.
Why We Agreed to Try the HILO Band
So when I was offered the chance to review the HILO blood pressure band, I thought he might be interested. The plan was simple: he’d use it, I’d write about how he found it, and we’d see whether it was genuinely useful or just another bit of health tech.
Little did I know, the timing couldn’t have been better.
In the weeks leading up to the review, he’d started complaining of light-headedness and headaches again. Because he was already on medication and living a healthier lifestyle, blood pressure didn’t immediately spring to mind. We assumed stress or tiredness and carried on.
We set up the HILO band and let it do its thing.
What Is HILO (and How It Works)
HILO is a wearable blood pressure band designed to track blood pressure trends throughout the day and night. Worn on the wrist like a fitness tracker, it uses optical sensors and algorithms to estimate changes in blood pressure without the need for an inflatable cuff.
The band syncs with an app, where readings are logged automatically, allowing users to see patterns over time rather than relying on occasional snapshots. It’s not intended to replace medical care or clinical testing, but to provide ongoing insight between GP appointments.
What the Data Revealed
What became clear very quickly was that his blood pressure wasn’t just fluctuating — it was extremely high again. Not once, not occasionally, but consistently.
Seeing the data laid out over several days removed any doubt. This wasn’t something to brush off or “keep an eye on later”. Armed with that information, he booked a GP appointment straight away.
This time, the conversation was very different. Having clear, tracked data made it easier to explain what had been happening and why. His medication was reviewed and adjusted accordingly — something that could easily have been delayed without that extra visibility.
Why Day-to-Day Monitoring Matters
It was a stark reminder that blood pressure isn’t a one-off issue. Even when you’re on medication, exercising regularly and eating well, things can change.
Symptoms like headaches, dizziness, fatigue or light-headedness are easy to ignore — especially when life is busy — but they’re often signals worth paying attention to. Devices like HILO don’t diagnose or treat, but they do help highlight when something isn’t right and needs checking.
Our Verdict on HILO
For us, the HILO blood pressure band wasn’t just an interesting piece of tech to review. It arrived at exactly the right moment and prompted action when it genuinely mattered.
If you’re managing blood pressure long-term, have a family history of hypertension, or are experiencing symptoms you can’t quite explain, having day-to-day insight into what your body is doing can be incredibly helpful.
HILO doesn’t replace your GP — but it can give you the information you need to know when it’s time to book that appointment.
Joanne Brook-Smith is a writer and editor with two decades of publishing experience. She launched Crave Magazine during the Covid period to create a fresh, inspiring space for food, travel and lifestyle content.