Abstract: A method for characterizing the blood pressure of an individual includes placing an optical device on a limb, the optical device having a light source arranged to emit light towards the limb, placing a photodetector facing the limb, and applying compression to the limb of the individual. The compression duration includes an increasing phase, in which the applied pressure increases, and a decreasing phase, in which the applied pressure decreases. During the compression duration, the limb is illuminated with the light source and the intensity of light is detected by the photodetector to obtain a time-dependent function. The method also includes applying low-pass filtering to the time-dependent function.