I regularly read posts on here but rarely post. I am looking to buy an inexpensive smartwatch for SP02, Heart rate, Stress plus the usual fitness/sleep etc. features.
I have had to return two due to them being unable to record stress levels, I assume because of my asymptomatic AF. I have rung the Garmin helpline but the operator did not know what AF was.
Can anyone recommend, from experience, a suitable brand/model?
I bought a series 4 apple watch which was excellent in enabling me to record my episodes of AF which were relatively asymptomatic. That was two years ago and helped me to get an ablation a year later. I've worn it every day since I bought it.
You can buy a second hand series 4 watch on ebay for under £100 so you could get a bargain. You will need an iPhone 6 or later to go with it.
Thanks for your help, unfortunately I am an Android user so would have to buy an iphone. Cost is no problem but current phone is only two months old and at 84 I don't need an all singing and dancing watch only regular 'exercise' is walking.
Well I'm 85 and I record things like steps, heart rate variability, resting hr, daily. It would let me know if I had an episode of AFib.
Having had a fall a couple of years ago, I like the fall detect feature, which is there in case I need it. It pops up with whatapp messages and tells me if I have a phone call. What I use the most now is the timer.
I've got an Oximeter but don't really use it. If I had Covid then I can see it would be useful but not otherwise.
Do any smart watches record stress? Just read this and it seems to say that they measure stress by the heart rate variability.
livescience.com/49452-track...
Mine has varied over the past few months between 7 and 107. This week it's averaged 60. I don't really know what it means in practice.
What I would advise you to do is to get the new Galaxy 3 watch, take an ECG every four hours, put it on a spreadsheet so that you know how often you have episodes of AFib and how long they last. That's what I did. I found I had two or three episodes a week, lasting 15-25 hours with an average 140 hr. That's why I got my ablation so quick.
Some smart watches measure stress by variation in electrical conductivity on the skin but the majority do it as you say by the variation in timings between heart beats which I assume is why the watches I've tried don't work. My AF is completely asymptomatic, some years ago cardiologist said ablation not necessary for me; as I still have no symptoms I assume that is still the case. As for Galaxy watches, if I decided to go that route I'd wait a week or two for the new version4.
It would seem you need one of these
fitbit.com/global/us/produc...
Thanks again, looks a good buy, got more than I want but seems to have everything I do want. Will give it some thought, some of the reviews ( written not long after it was released) were quite critical saying that some of the functions seemed unfinished.I'll certainly consider it - I never rush into things.
Thanks again.
Regarding heartbeats and arrhythmias the Fitbit software is quite inaccurate. I've spent more time then I want to think about with Fitbit employees trying to make them live up to promises regarding these areas
Yes, I bought a Fitbit (I am the advertisers dream!) it was cheap, but try as I may I cannot download the AP on my Samsung Android - so it is currently sitting in a drawer. I'm a symptomless AFibber with 4 sisters exactly the same! I have to check my pulse with a wrist BP monitor to see how I'm doing- I cant manage the upper arm device (got one of those as well)) as I have thin arms and there seems to be far too much excess cuff to try and position it correctly over the artery. My doctor checks it every six months, but somehow the balance of medication for my BP and HR seems hard to achieve. One visit my BP is too high, next time too low. I'm seeing a cardio in a couple of weeks to see what he thinks it's quite a conundrum!
You should dump your Android. If you are serious about your health.
I looked at about 12 smart watches & lots of you tube videos and some watches grossly inaccurate .Some have displays on watch face & app with writing so small I can't read .I tried these via Amazon and they can be returned if sold or fulfilled by Amazon.I settled on Fitbit Charge 4 as the app is great & customer service is good.
ElTope..
I have the latest iwatch it does all kinds of things.. makes my head spin ..I like the ECG function
I've found that it greatly enhances your paranoia too.. spend all day looking at the damn watch to see if your alive while crossing a busy road etc. rather than getting on with life !
I currently don't have Af thanks to an ablation some years ago but its reassuring to be able to take a look and see if my heart rate is steady or haywire ( hopefully not ) I have ups and downs mostly its steady with occasional blips,
I guess its never going to be like when I was a 20 year old...good luck if finding one that suits your needs, bear in mind what's stressful to one person isnt to another !
I’ve got series three and overall am happy with same. VO2 bpm etc all on that but please remember that smart watches are an indicator NOT perfect! I get all I need from my S 3 Apple Watch.
Ditto for the Apple watch. I also download a very handy and customizable FREE pill reminder...no trial then pay sort of scheme like many of them.It's called MediSafe, and there is probably an Android version as well...not sure. It is easy to use...just enter the name, type, of drug, amount...even lets you choose the actual size and colour lol. Very configurable. HR meds and thinners aren't my only meds, and I don't take them all at the same time, so personally I find it handy.
I do believe the android Galaxy 2 Active, and 3 and 4 series have the same features, but don't own own one so I can't post impressions, but lots of reviews out there I'm sure. I had one a few years ago, but it did not play nice with my iPhone, so I sold it.
I really don't think you could go wrong with either. Just pick the one that goes with your current phone.
Fitbit? Had a couple of those as well... although less expensive, they are are great "fitness" watches, but lack ECG , And AFIB alert features.
My Fitbit Sense does ECG, although as you say there is no AF alert feature.
HiI have just bought the Apple Watch 6, probably should of waited till September for the new release but that’s being my usual self impatient
Haven’t had time with it yet so will post to let you know how I get on with it later in week
Thanks
I don't work for any software or development company...so when I say "download the MediSafe app" it is intended as a personal recommendation only. If you only need to take pills once a day and can remember to don't bother...BUT, multiple pills and or jabs daily at different times? You want the app. It's free and we'll designed... clearly by medical professionals.
I have Apple Watch 5 and so far it has been accurate, and agreed with the paramedics ECG reading, I usually get to 170 bpm. Thankfully bisaprolol and rivaroxoban seem to be working, not had a session since beginning of July!
I just bought a Samsung active 2 £229 from Samsung online store, does BP, ECG, and STRESS. Iam happy with it
Obviously most people commenting here are very happy with their watch functions. For me my Apple Watch greatly added to my stress - I became obsessed with looking at it and every time I had an ectopic episode it terrified me, increasing my heart rate snd causing a very vicious cycle of symptoms. Now I don’t use it at all. However if my AF ever got worse - I rarely have any episodes - I’d perhaps consider a more up to date version but I’d have to be desperate.
Hi I have a galaxy fit which measures your stress levels as well as heart rate and all the usual things.
Thanks for all your replies. Apple watch is a no goer as an iphone is required to get full benefit and my current Android phone is only a couple of months old. The problem with stress measurements on most phones is that the measurement relies on the heart rate monitor and obviously with AF that's unreliable.
Anything which is FDA validated (which narrows down the field a lot). These will tend to be more expensive. The least expensive that I know of is one of the Fitbit watches (not sure which one).
I assume from your comments that you are aware of the limitations of heart rate monitoring when in AF. The problem seems to be variable across the different brands, due to differing algorithms filtering our what it's looking for in terms of heart rate. The main problem in AF though is that not all beats of the heart (while in AF), depending on timing, produce a measurable pulse of higher blood pressure. I would expect ALL those with an ECG function to read the heart activity accurately, since it's measuring the electrical signals, not the pulse.
For the 1,007,654,765TH time. Anyone with AF or heart issues should just go buy a Apple Watch. End of discussion!!!! There’s nothing else that needs to be said.
Are these watches ie the Apple watch, any use for permanent AF? I like to climb hills while trying to keep my heartbeat under control. I have a very cheap watch that records the heartbeat but the readings don't seem to match how my heartbeat feels, so I tend to ignore the reading and just use it for steps and distance. Are the Apple watches accurate?
I think, from reading previous comments, that the Apple Watch measures HR in the same way as other fitness watches ie by green light technology where it counts the pulses through your blood vessels. It only uses the electrical counting system if you activate the ECG/EKG function. You would have to do that at intervals to get an idea of how your heart is responding to exercise.
I’ve been happy w my old fitbit to track heart rate only. I usually just use it while on the treadmill or out walking. Have been wearing it a lot recently as I’m in the midst of changing meds and it’s been handy for monitoring things.
For ekg, I use a Kardia attached to the back of my android phone. Nothing automatic about it, I just use it when I’m feeling like my heart is misbehaving. Granted, it won’t catch any short, errant wobbles. But I can get it started and recording in about 30 seconds.
For me, having a watch on my wrist, monitoring at all times, just puts me in a constant worry mode. For others, it probably does just the opposite. It’s wonderful that there are so many techie options these days! And advancing so quickly.
The Apple watch and the AliveCor Kardia Mobile are recognised by NICE in detecting AF, for further details visit heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
I have an old series 2 Apple Watch, had it for years and coupled with the app on the iPhone it monitors my heart rate. During a high heart rate attack I was connected to a hospital monitor in A and E and my Apple Watch was reading virtually the same as the hospital monitor. It good to see how my rate is during gardening when doing a lot work so I can rest up if it’s getting to high. I would certainly recommend it. Hopefully I will be in a position to get a newer one when my old one packs up. Maybe you could get a deal on a phone and watch when your phone comes up for a new contract. Best wishes
I bought a Huawei Honor band 5i. It’s cheap, simple to use and works perfectly
Hey,
you may choose Apple watch SE or 3 series. They fulfill all your feed. You can use it as a regular smartwatch by pairing it to the phone, also it will give you an accurate reading on your vitals.
Technology is getting a foothold in our lives much faster than we anticipated. As a result, this NEWS is not humorous in the least.Using smartwatches to monitor vital signs is nothing new these days.
Multiple physiological markers are being monitored on a regular basis with new consumer health gadgets. Many of these vital sign measuring devices have yet to be fully examined in a clinical context, but they have already become popular among consumers.
We are more susceptible to lifestyle diseases as we become older. High blood pressure, according to experts, is a widespread lifestyle disorder that affects around 45 percent of the population. The best technique to detect the early signs of Hypertension (High B.P.) is to check blood pressure at home.
Only a few smartwatch and fitness tracker manufacturers have succeeded in incorporating blood pressure monitoring technologies into their products. Advanced smartwatches and fitness trackers that measure blood pressure are made by Omron, Samsung, Yamay, and HalfSun, to name a few. Several programs are available to effectively track the readings/values. Apart from the built-in apps, there are a number of <a href=“thinkpalm.com/services/mobi... app development services</a> organizations that provide tailored apps for monitoring vital signs.
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