Wearable device detects hidden hormone surges behind high blood pressure

September 14, 2026 at 07:01 PM2 min

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A wearable device that tracks hormone levels continuously at home detected nighttime surges of aldosterone in people with primary aldosteronism, a common but often missed cause of high blood pressure. The proof-of-concept study followed 60 patients across four European cities over 24 hours, with hormone measurements taken every 20 minutes. Researchers say the approach could identify cases that routine daytime blood tests miss.

Key Facts

Primary aldosteronism may affect up to one in five people with high blood pressure.
The study followed 60 patients in Bristol, Bergen, Stockholm, and Athens over a 24-hour period.
Hormone levels were measured every 20 minutes using a lightweight wearable device about the size of a mobile phone.
The technology, known as U-RHYTHM, was adopted and further developed by the spinout company Dynamic Therapeutics in 2023.
Study co-lead author Dr. Thomas Upton said primary aldosteronism could be affecting millions of people in the UK.

The Condition

Primary aldosteronism is a hormone disorder associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other serious health problems. People with the condition can experience bursts of hormone production both during the day and while asleep at night. Nighttime surges are especially important because routine blood tests are rarely performed during sleep. Dr. Thomas Upton, Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Bristol, said the condition is the most common cause of secondary hypertension seen in their blood pressure clinic.

The Wearable Device

The research team used a portable device developed at the University of Bristol that allowed patients to have their hormone levels monitored continuously while living normally at home. The device samples hormones from the skin, so participants were able to continue with their usual activities, including sleeping at night. The technology, known as U-RHYTHM, was adopted and further developed by the spinout company Dynamic Therapeutics in 2023. Continuous monitoring could reveal abnormalities that may be missed by conventional testing, potentially helping doctors identify hormone-related conditions earlier.

Study Findings

The proof-of-concept study followed 60 patients in Bristol, Bergen, Stockholm, and Athens over a 24-hour period. Hormone levels were measured every 20 minutes using a lightweight wearable device about the size of a mobile phone that attaches at the waist. Researchers from the University of Bristol, the University of Manchester, the University of Bergen, and collaborators in Stockholm and Athens conducted the study. Dr. Upton said the approach could potentially revolutionize how hypertension is diagnosed and ultimately reduce preventable cardiovascular disease.