WHAT IS MY HEART RATE ??

[goldey]

I have an oximeter, and I thought that the heart rate it gave me was accurate, so I have been using it regularly to keep an eye on what was going on with my heart. But I just saw my cardiologist and he said that oximeters are worthless for reporting heart rate -- they are never accurate and shouldn't even be used to check heart rate. I am unable to find my own pulse because of chubby fingers and wrists. What can I use to get an accurate heart rate, other than that thing where you put a strap around your chest? I want something I can grab quickly when I feel funny, and check my heart rate accurately right away. (I do not use a mobile phone, so please don't recommend any apps -- ) Thank you!

[Hidden]

A blood pressure machine does your heart rate.... If you’re in the UK.... you can buy one from Boots, about £40. Mine also shows AF. You can get a cheaper one... but they all show the heart rate.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Many are not very accurate if you are in AF I'm afraid. Buy a stethoscope and a good stop watch is about the best way if you really want to know what you heart is doing. I have some sympathy here as my right radial pulse went AWOL when I had an angiogram a few years ago.

[CDreamer]

I am sorry but I don’t know of anything that doesn’t use a smartphone app. The only 2 things I have found accurate is manually taking a pulse - difficult when HR gets very high - or Kardia - which needs the smartphone or tablet? And the Kardia is the only one my Doctors will accept as evidence. Have you tried taking your HR at your neck?

BP monitors are also very unreliable - even the hospital machines won’t give a true pulse rate if you are in AF. Some of the more modern ones BlackCrow suggested may, but I found if in AF with a high HR my BP becomes unreadable so I just get error messages - and that was on a model that was supposed to cope with AF. Certainly you need a good one and they will be £40+.

[solarjdo69 in reply to CDreamer]

I use 3 apps since as mentioned they can't be totally accurate with AFIB. The 3 different readings gives me a good approximation of what's going on.

Primary app that I've come to trust as pretty close. It stores history and has categories of type of activity like rest, exercising, post workout, etc..

play.google.com/store/apps/...

2nd app is play.google.com/store/apps/...

It's not too accurate heart rate wise but for me I've found that I take the result time 1.5 it is close to the others. EG: 60 x 1.5 90. I like this one as I can SEE the oscilloscope heart beat traces and see how many and type of "extra" or missing beats.

3rd app I use to sorta corroborate app #1 play.google.com/store/apps/...

I also use on a periodic basis a wrist cuff - Cost about $40.00.

[Hidden]

A kardia will show your HR and more, or can you try and find your pulse in your neck? i find that a lot easier than on my wrist

[Kaz747 in reply to Hidden]

I agree with Mike about the pulse in the neck. I too struggle with the pulse in my wrists but by putting 2 fingers (left hand) on the left hand side of my neck I can feel it quite easily.

[Love100cats]

I struggle with this dilemma because I use an oximeter daily and have been told by g.p. and h.f. nurse they are not accurate BUT at every appointment the g.p. uses it and the h.f. nurse too. I don't get it! Paramedics also use them and they do on the wards. I bought the best I could afford and it's much better then the one my husband bought years ago. The only thing I can say is that mine bleeps a warning if my heart rate is low so it alerts me and I would speak to g.p. or h.f. nurse for advice so in that sense it's useful. Also make sure you use a finger which is not arthritic as that can give a much lower reading. I hope this helps.

[CDreamer in reply to Love100cats]

It doesn’t give an accurate reading when in AF. It measures O2 saturation- and maybe a guide for HR if in NSR but that’s why the medics use them - not to take your HR. You should be hooked up to ECG in hospital if in AF - that will show an accurate rate.

[bantam12]

I have a oximeter which is absolutely accurate.

[CDreamer in reply to bantam12]

How do you know? And are you in AF when taking the readings?

[rosyG]

much easier to feel your pulse in the neck arteries

[Dawsonmackay]

The newest iWatch has a blazingly fast and accurate chip that takes pulse, heart rate and tells you when you are in Afib. I realized its quite expensive but I hate a blood pressure machine and the way it squeezes my arm 10 x 10. I usually press my fingers (no thumbs because they have their pulse) against my neck to feel my pulse.