11 Devices For Hacking Your Health — 11. Zona Plus

 

Zona is a device developed to treat resistant hypertension (high blood pressure that persists despite treatment by two or more medications) and improve cardiac health. The Zona Plus allows users to practice self-guided isometric handgrip therapy (i.e. squeezing the device) at home. In 2012 FDA conditionally approved an investigational device exemption (IDE) for a pivotal clinical trial to evaluate the device. According to the company, other clinical studies have demonstrated that isometric handgrip therapy could provide “a significant reduction in blood pressure levels for the majority of hypertensive patients.”. According to earlier data, 135 out of 136 study participants achieved significant blood pressure drops in eight weeks or less.