Smartwatches and wristbands have evolved significantly over the years. They do much more than track your steps and movement and estimate your heart rate. Now, these modern devices can monitor your heart rate more accurately by tracing your heart’s electrical signals or ECGs. Furthermore, a heart rate monitoring smart watch can now alert you if it detects any irregular heart rhythm.
More and more companies, such as Apple, have introduced smartwatches that can monitor your heart rate effectively. However, keep in mind that while they can detect a heart rhythm disorder or atrial fibrillation, it’s crucial to see your doctor as soon as possible for a formal diagnosis and treatment. Ultimately, these devices can be extremely helpful for anyone who has struggled with their heart health.
Heart Rate Monitoring Smart Watches on the Market
Continuous heart rate tracking has numerous benefits, such as it can manage your stress levels, improve athletic performance, and track your heart health. These can be worn during exercise and while you’re sleeping.
With so many options on the market, it can be challenging and overwhelming to choose the right fit for you. Here are some high-quality smartwatches that are worth considering if you need to monitor your heart rate:
Apple Watch Series 8
It should be no surprise that the Apple Watch makes this list. This is considered a long-term investment as it has many worthwhile features, including:
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- Blood oxygen readings
- Sleep tracking
- Fall detection
- Music control
- Guided meditations
- Fitness features
Now, one of its most useful features is that it can take an electrocardiogram (EKG) reading, which helps detect any early signs of atrial fibrillation. However, the Series 8 heart rate monitor is the same as the Series 7.
Fitbit Versa 4
The Fitbit Versa 4 offers 24/7 heart rate tracking, which is always displayed directly on the home screen. You can also use it to track trends and other historical health data.
This smartwatch is also known for its powerful battery life, water-resistant design, and fitness tracker.
Google Pixel Watch
This is considered one of the most accurate heart rate tracking watches and tracks your heart rate once per second. It also offers EKG monitoring, whereby you need to place your finger on the crown of the watch while it takes your EKG reading.
This watch does have a sensor that tracks your blood oxygen levels; however, this feature has not yet been unlocked.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
This watch integrates with the Samsung Health app, which constantly provides heart rate data and signals if your rate is too high or low.
Other features that make this a viable option is its long battery life and waterproof and lightweight design.
Why Is a Heart Rate Monitoring Smart Watch Important?
There are many reasons why you should monitor your heart rate regularly, such as:
- Helps you manage chronic conditions
- Can track how hard you’re working out
- Could indicate when there is a potential health problem
However, you should not rely on these devices to screen for atrial fibrillation. If you suspect you have a more serious heart condition, make sure to visit a cardiologist as soon as possible.
Features to Look for in Heart Rate Monitor Watches
It’s important to consider the various health tracking features a smartwatch has to offer before investing in one. Plus, these features can be helpful whether you have a health condition, are an athlete, or simply want to monitor your heart metrics. Keep in mind that the features you look for will differ depending on your lifestyle and conditions. If you’re someone who has a heart or lung condition, you want to look for oxygen and blood pressure monitoring as well as ECG monitoring. However, it’s vital to remember that this information is not a substitute for formal medical tests from a doctor.
Make sure to look for these top features:
ECG/ EKG Capabilities
Many smartwatches can take your ECG, including Apple, Google, and Samsung. This is a test that measures the strength and frequency of the electrical signals your heart generates while its contracting and beating.
Why would you need this? Well, it allows you to identify any abnormal cardiac activity, including atrial fibrillation. If you have had a history of irregular sinus rhythm, you could benefit from this. When you get a reading indicating abnormal activity, get medical care, as these devices cannot treat you and are not a formal diagnostic test.
However, smartwatches cannot successfully identify any signs of a heart attack. Therefore, if you experience chest pain or any other type of symptom, make sure to go to the hospital immediately.
Heart Rate Monitoring
This is the most basic feature you should look for in a smartwatch. While most of the watches on the market have these features, some offer more advanced options, such as stress tracking, heart rate variability monitoring, and heart rate alerts.
Furthermore, you can adjust the heart rate alerts according to your normal active and resting heart rate. This way, you can rest assured knowing you’ll be alerted in your heart rate is doing anything out of the ordinary.
Many people love using this function when exercising and tracking calories.
The Bottom Line
Smartwatches have evolved over the years and are now able to provide more accurate data when it comes to tracking your heart rate and irregular heart rhythms. This can be a useful tool for anyone who has experienced heart conditions or diseases, as it allows you to identify possible complications as soon as possible.
It’s important to note that heart rate monitoring smart watches are useful devices and can help you improve your heart health overall. However, they are by no means a substitute for a medical professional. As soon as your smart watch identifies something irregular, it’s best to contact your cardiologist, who can conduct more tests and accurately confirm whether you have atrial fibrillation or any other heart disease. This way, you can address any potential concerns before they develop into a more serious condition.
