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Hi, I'm Mike, one of the founders of Bettir. I'm available to answer questions if you have any.

by cmikec 12y ago

Impossible 12y ago
I'd love to try Bettir, but it's iOS only. I understand that the reasoning for this is probably a combination of standard reasons why startups ship only (or at least initially) on iOS and the usage of HealthKit. Are there plans to ship on Android or any other platform anytime in the near future?
- cmikec 12y ago
  We currently have a (beta) mobile webapp that works on Android, and we will definitely have an Android app in the future. We also give our service to some people over email and SMS. Visit http://recordbp.com/ http://recordbp.com/ from Chrome on your Android to get it going. It supports being added to your home screen.
- harmegido 12y ago
  Why do startups start with iOS, considering it's a smaller market? Forgive my ignorance.
tootie 12y ago
Does this have any benefit for people who are already diagnosed hypertensives? Like being able to capture triggers or measure effectiveness of different medications?
- cmikec 12y ago
  Yes. Your blood pressure is a wave, going up and down throughout the day, week, month, etc. Just taking it once every time you're at the doctor's office is not even good enough for some diagnoses. One example of this is "white coat" hypertension, which some studies indicate occurs in 20-45% of people diagnosed with hypertension. Their blood pressure is high in the doctor's office but low at home, which can result in overmedication. If you do have hypertension though, then the big challenge is getting your blood pressure under control. Medication is one way, but without home monitoring, it is hard to find out exactly how well the medication is working. When it comes to lifestyle changes (diet, sleep, caffeine, etc.), we help you track, monitor, and manage the improvements these types of changes can bring. If you have hypertension, you are at a greatly increased risk of dying from a stroke or from heart disease, and Bettir is designed to help you manage that.
OmarIsmail 12y ago
Any visibility as to if/when a device like a fitbit will be able to do blood pressure readings? I feel like if that can happen, when it eventually comes out, every single person will own it. Hopefully it's possible.
- cmikec 12y ago
  There are some interesting blood pressure monitors in the works. I know some internal information from several companies who are working on this that I am unable to disclose at this time. There will be more streamlined, wearable blood pressure devices in the near future. Before then, it's important to note that current home blood pressure monitoring technology is actually pretty good. There are wrist-based monitors available at your local drug store most likely for $50 or less. They're slightly bulky but they are way better than nothing. One in three American adults have high blood pressure and it is strongly correlated with increases in death from strokes and heart attacks. Even before the monitoring technology is perfectly elegant, it's crucial that people start monitoring their blood pressure using what is currently available.
  - mbesto 12y ago
    Hi Mike! Do you know the guys over at Echo Labs? http://www.echolabs.co/ http://www.echolabs.co/
    - cmikec 12y ago
      I don't. If you do and you feel there's a reason to make an intro, send it to mike@bettir.com. Thanks!
  - OmarIsmail 12y ago
    Yup, I own one of those and it is a literal life saver. That's why I want there to be a wearable version. Heart Rate and Temperature should already be measurable on a wearable. Getting BP measurable would give us 90% of the "vitals" information we need to know how we're doing. BP is the big one too because you can have high blood pressure and not even know it. My wife had gestational hypertension (high BP caused by pregnancy) and her BP went sky high and the whole time she felt fine.

Hi, I'm Mike, one of the founders of Bettir. I'm available to answer questions if you have any.

by cmikec 12y ago

Hi, I'm Mike, one of the founders of Bettir. I'm available to answer questions if you have any.

I'd love to try Bettir, but it's iOS only. I understand that the reasoning for this is probably a combination of standard reasons why startups ship only (or at least initially) on iOS and the usage of HealthKit. Are there plans to ship on Android or any other platform anytime in the near future?

cmikec 12y ago
We currently have a (beta) mobile webapp that works on Android, and we will definitely have an Android app in the future. We also give our service to some people over email and SMS. Visit http://recordbp.com/ http://recordbp.com/ from Chrome on your Android to get it going. It supports being added to your home screen.
harmegido 12y ago
Why do startups start with iOS, considering it's a smaller market? Forgive my ignorance.

tootie 12y ago

Does this have any benefit for people who are already diagnosed hypertensives? Like being able to capture triggers or measure effectiveness of different medications?

cmikec 12y ago
Yes. Your blood pressure is a wave, going up and down throughout the day, week, month, etc. Just taking it once every time you're at the doctor's office is not even good enough for some diagnoses. One example of this is "white coat" hypertension, which some studies indicate occurs in 20-45% of people diagnosed with hypertension. Their blood pressure is high in the doctor's office but low at home, which can result in overmedication. If you do have hypertension though, then the big challenge is getting your blood pressure under control. Medication is one way, but without home monitoring, it is hard to find out exactly how well the medication is working. When it comes to lifestyle changes (diet, sleep, caffeine, etc.), we help you track, monitor, and manage the improvements these types of changes can bring. If you have hypertension, you are at a greatly increased risk of dying from a stroke or from heart disease, and Bettir is designed to help you manage that.

OmarIsmail 12y ago

Any visibility as to if/when a device like a fitbit will be able to do blood pressure readings? I feel like if that can happen, when it eventually comes out, every single person will own it. Hopefully it's possible.

cmikec 12y ago
There are some interesting blood pressure monitors in the works. I know some internal information from several companies who are working on this that I am unable to disclose at this time. There will be more streamlined, wearable blood pressure devices in the near future. Before then, it's important to note that current home blood pressure monitoring technology is actually pretty good. There are wrist-based monitors available at your local drug store most likely for $50 or less. They're slightly bulky but they are way better than nothing. One in three American adults have high blood pressure and it is strongly correlated with increases in death from strokes and heart attacks. Even before the monitoring technology is perfectly elegant, it's crucial that people start monitoring their blood pressure using what is currently available.
- mbesto 12y ago
  Hi Mike! Do you know the guys over at Echo Labs? http://www.echolabs.co/ http://www.echolabs.co/
  - cmikec 12y ago
    I don't. If you do and you feel there's a reason to make an intro, send it to mike@bettir.com. Thanks!
- OmarIsmail 12y ago
  Yup, I own one of those and it is a literal life saver. That's why I want there to be a wearable version. Heart Rate and Temperature should already be measurable on a wearable. Getting BP measurable would give us 90% of the "vitals" information we need to know how we're doing. BP is the big one too because you can have high blood pressure and not even know it. My wife had gestational hypertension (high BP caused by pregnancy) and her BP went sky high and the whole time she felt fine.