Smartwatches are not just devices that tell time and show notifications. They can also be powerful tools for monitoring your heart health and alerting you of any potential problems. But with so many options available, how do you know which one is right for you?
In this article, we will compare some of the most popular smartwatches that offer heart health monitoring features, such as heart rate tracking, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood pressure measurement, and more. We will also explain what these features mean and how they can help you improve your well-being.
What are the benefits of monitoring your heart health with a smartwatch?
Your heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute. It can vary depending on your activity level, emotions, medications, and other factors. A normal resting heart rate for adults is between 60 and 100 beats per minute, but it can be lower for athletes and higher for people with certain medical conditions.
Monitoring your heart rate can help you:
- Track your fitness level and progress
- Optimize your workout intensity and duration
- Manage your stress and anxiety levels
- Detect abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmias
- Identify signs of heart disease or other health issues
Some smartwatches can also measure other aspects of your heart health, such as:
- ECG: This is a test that records the electrical activity of your heart. It can detect irregular heartbeats, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can increase the risk of stroke and heart failure.
- Blood pressure: This is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. High blood pressure, or hypertension, can damage your blood vessels and organs, leading to heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and more.
- Blood oxygen: This is the amount of oxygen in your blood. Low blood oxygen, or hypoxia, can impair the function of your organs and tissues, causing shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, and more.
By using a smartwatch that can measure these parameters, you can get a more comprehensive picture of your heart health and take action if needed.
What are the best smartwatches for heart health monitoring?
There are many smartwatches that offer heart health monitoring features, but not all of them are equally accurate or reliable. Here are some of the best ones that we have found based on customer reviews, features, price, and compatibility.
Apple Watch Series 8
The Apple Watch Series 8 is one of the most advanced smartwatches on the market. It has a number of health-tracking features, including an optical heart sensor, an electrical heart sensor for ECG, a blood oxygen sensor, and a new body temperature sensor. The watch offers continuous heart rate tracking and can provide notifications when your heart rate goes above or below a set range. Users can also take an ECG reading by placing their finger on the Apple Watch crown and using the ECG app to check for irregular sinus rhythm. These readings are then saved in the Apple Health app.
The Apple Watch is equipped with an Emergency SOS feature. When enabled, the feature can detect falls and call and send your location to local emergency services. It can also be deployed by holding the side button. It also comes with a new crash detection feature, which detects when the wearer is in a severe car crash and alerts emergency services.
You can tap into yoga, meditation, and other workout programs via Apple Fitness+. The watch is also water-resistant up to 50 meters, dust-proof, and crack-resistant. The battery life lasts up to 18 hours on a single charge.
The Apple Watch Series 8 is compatible with iPhones running iOS 15 or later. It comes in different sizes, colors, and styles. The price starts from $399.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is another high-end smartwatch that offers a variety of health monitoring features. It has an optical heart sensor, an electrical heart sensor for ECG, a blood pressure sensor, a blood oxygen sensor, and a body composition sensor. The watch can track your heart rate throughout the day and night and alert you of any abnormal changes. You can also take an ECG reading by touching the watch screen with your finger and using the Samsung Health Monitor app to check for AFib or other arrhythmias.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 can also measure your blood pressure by using a calibration device such as a cuff or another Galaxy Watch. You can then monitor your blood pressure trends over time using the Samsung Health Monitor app. The watch can also measure your blood oxygen level by using a red LED light and an infrared light to detect how much oxygen is in your blood.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 can also measure your body composition, such as your body fat percentage, muscle mass, water level, and more. You can use the Samsung Health app to view your body composition results and get personalized insights and tips. The watch also supports various fitness modes, such as running, cycling, swimming, and more.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is water-resistant up to 50 meters, dust-proof, and scratch-resistant. The battery life lasts up to 40 hours on a single charge. The watch is compatible with Android phones running Android 6.0 or later. It comes in different sizes, colors, and styles. The price starts from $249.
Fitbit Sense
The Fitbit Sense is a smartwatch that focuses on stress management and wellness. It has an optical heart sensor, an electrical heart sensor for ECG, a blood oxygen sensor, and an electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor. The watch can track your heart rate 24/7 and alert you of any high or low heart rate. You can also take an ECG reading by holding your fingers on the corners of the watch and using the Fitbit ECG app to check for AFib or other heart rhythm disorders.
The Fitbit Sense can also measure your blood oxygen level by using a red LED light and an infrared light to detect how much oxygen is in your blood. You can view your blood oxygen trends in the Fitbit app and see how they vary with your sleep quality and other factors.
The Fitbit Sense can also measure your stress level by using the EDA sensor. The sensor detects small changes in the sweat level of your skin, which indicate how your body responds to stress. You can use the Fitbit app to see your stress score and get guided breathing sessions, mindfulness exercises, and other wellness tools.
The Fitbit Sense also supports various fitness modes, such as running, cycling, swimming, and more. The watch is water-resistant up to 50 meters and has a built-in GPS and NFC. The battery life lasts up to 6 days on a single charge.
The Fitbit Sense is compatible with Android and iOS devices running Android 7.0 or later or iOS 12.2 or later. It comes in different colors and styles. The price is $299.
How to choose the best smartwatch for your heart health
When choosing a smartwatch for your heart health, there are several factors to consider, such as:
- Accuracy: Not all smartwatches are equally accurate when it comes to measuring your heart rate or other parameters. You should look for reviews from verified customers or independent sources that test the accuracy of different models.
- Compatibility: You should make sure that the smartwatch you choose is compatible with your smartphone and other devices that you use. Some smartwatches only work with certain operating systems or apps, so you should check the compatibility before buying.
- Features: You should decide what features are important for you and what you want to use the smartwatch for. Some smartwatches offer more features than others, such as ECG, blood pressure measurement, blood oxygen measurement, stress management, fitness tracking, and more.
- Design: You should also consider the design of the smartwatch, such as the size, shape, color, style, and comfort. You should choose a smartwatch that suits your personal preference and fits well on your wrist.
- Price: You should also compare the prices of different smartwatches and see what fits your budget. Some smartwatches are more expensive than others, depending on the brand, features, quality, and warranty.
By following these tips, you can find the best smartwatch for your heart health and enjoy the benefits of monitoring your heart rate and other parameters.