Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death globally. It can be due to the result of stroke, acute myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation (AF), non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, and many other reasons. Early diagnosis can limit mortality and the economic burden of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, continuous monitoring is crucial for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, in the modern era of technology development that promotes precision medicine and personalised approach, many wearable devices continuously monitor the heart rate, such as heart rate monitor watch, sensor chest patches, etc.
How does the Heart Rate Monitor Watch Work?
Technology advancements have led to heart rate sensors being incorporated into numerous available wearable devices. They have built-in detectors that provide real-time monitoring of both the electric impulses (electrocardiography) and the precordial movements of the heart. Such modern devices detect cardiac arrhythmias. However, the accuracy varies depending on the type of device and its detection methods.
Different Types of Wearable Devices To Monitor Heart Rate And Cardiac Rhythm
Technology development has led to various devices ranging from smart accessories to sensors embedded devices in clothing, footwear, glasses, chest patches, fitness bands, heart rate sensors in the form of rings, necklaces, earbud headphones, etc.
Smartwatch and fitness bands:
Whether you are a fitness freak or not interested in monitoring your heart health, due to the popularity and precision of Apple watches, smartwatches are one of the most well-known devices on this list. All you have to do is snap such smartwatches and fitness bands on your wrist, and its sleek feature of having an optical monitoring device will provide you with ECG. When the sensor is pressed against the skin, or if you press the button, its built-in sensor will spot and detect any abnormal rhythm like atrial fibrillation.
Inner ear devices:
Heart rate monitor earphones or power buds are yet another powerful device to monitor heart rate through your earpiece! For many of us, exercise and music go hand in hand, and for some wearing a fitness watch is not a favorable option. In such cases, while you enjoy your favorite playlist, this device can monitor your heart rate and alarm you if any abnormal beat occurs. The best part about this device is that you can use such an earbud for many other usages like work, phone calls, or just watching your favorite show on Netflix. Since it is non-invasive and unobstructed, it provides a fairly accurate heart rate reading.
Textile electrodes for ECG monitoring:
Imagine you put on a shirt and get your ECG with heart rate, heart rate variability that monitors stress, heart rate zones, and heart rate recovery. In the ever-changing technological world, clothing-based ECG monitors as a result of dry electrodes are the new type of device gaining popularity. This is an ideal option for the ones who don’t like to wear bulky devices or are fed up with wires. Thus, smart textiles offer seamless monitoring that is highly user-friendly.
Chest Patches: Stick sensors:
Yet another popular on-body device to monitor one’s heart rate continuously is the sticky ECG chest patch. They are the miniature version of medical devices that provide cardiac monitors for ambulatory use. One can wear it for days or weeks. In some situations, they have overcome the limitations of other medical ECG devices such as event records and multi-lead 24/48 hours Holter monitors.
Chest strap:
This list is incomplete without one of the oldest inventions, the chest straps. It is durable, comfortable, and reliable to provide an accurate reading of cardiac arrhythmias and fluctuations, if any. One can wear it for a long duration while maintaining normal activity levels to discover triggers of sporadic conditions such as Afid, or other irregularities.
Heart Monitoring For The People Who Are Uncomfortable With Wearable Devices
In the era when we have everything on our smartphones, from switching off appliances to keeping a check on our health, it has become easy to follow a heart-healthy lifestyle. There are multiple heart rate monitor apps available that help to track heart rate, fitness, and blood pressure that can help one understand the efficacy of medications, any lifestyle adjustments needed, and other treatments. Their fairly accurate readings help one in preventing mortality, and other major concerns by detecting changes in the blood volume under the skin’s surface.
Thus, heart rate monitors are useful and accessible devices to help you track your heart’s activity and lead a healthy life. From the mentioned devices, depending on the one you pick, you can get a range of data to improve your health and create/manage an exercise plan, and much more.
