A smartphone app by a UK-based digital health company has become the first in the world to receive Class II medical-grade certification for measuring blood pressure without the use of a traditional cuff. Lifelight’s mobile application uses only a smartphone camera to take accurate blood pressure readings, potentially reducing the need for in-person appointments, physical […]
A smartphone app by a UK-based digital health company has become the first in the world to receive Class II medical-grade certification for measuring blood pressure without the use of a traditional cuff.
Lifelight’s mobile application uses only a smartphone camera to take accurate blood pressure readings, potentially reducing the need for in-person appointments, physical equipment, and the cost burden associated with hypertension-related conditions.
The technology has been designed as a scalable and cost-effective tool for early detection of cardiovascular disease, which is reportedly one of the NHS’s most expensive long-term health challenges.
The core of the app’s functionality is remote photoplethysmography (rPPG), a technique that identifies subtle colour changes in the face, described as ‘micro-blushes’, caused by blood flow.
These signals are then analysed by the app to calculate key cardiovascular metrics, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings.
Although rPPG itself is not new, Lifelight says its version of the technology has been clinically validated using a proprietary dataset comprising more than 25,000 paired blood pressure and video recordings. The system relies on AI models developed from a diverse group of 12,500 patients and is protected by six patents.
The app is currently in use by more than 100,000 people across the UK and Europe. It has been integrated into NHS pilots, including Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, as well as platforms such as iPlato’s myGP app, and is being trialled by insurers, digital health providers and virtual wards for chronic disease management and screening.
Lifelight blood monitor face scanner and results
“This is a moment as significant as the smartphone camera was for photography. For the first time, we’ve put GP-level blood pressure monitoring into the smartphone in your pocket,” said Laurence Pearce, CEO of Lifelight.
“By harnessing everyday devices, we’re making clinical-grade cardiovascular screening available to everyone, everywhere, without the cost, complexity, or waiting times of traditional care.”
Pearce added that the technology could reduce unnecessary appointments and help free up GP and nurse time for more critical cases. “As Wes Streeting looks to scale NHS preventative care capabilities, this innovation is essential for broadening access to cardiovascular health screening to millions more people – early, easily, and at no extra cost.”
According to the company, 80% of cardiovascular disease is preventable, yet an estimated 15% of Europeans live with undiagnosed high blood pressure. Lifelight aims to address this gap by enabling mass screening at no cost to users.
The app is compatible with most smartphones up to a decade old, potentially making it accessible to around 80% of global users without the need for wearables, cuffs, or specialist training. It may be particularly useful for people with obesity or mobility issues, or those who struggle with conventional cuff-based devices.
The certification comes as the NHS sharpens its focus on preventative care and prepares for a national cardiovascular screening initiative recently announced by Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Lifelight’s developers say the technology is closely aligned with these policy goals and could help widen access to monitoring for at-risk populations.
