opinions on smart watches ? - Atrial Fibrillati...

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opinions on smart watches ?

Hazel1010 profile image
17 Replies

hello , I’ve been using a DaFit compatible smart watch it dose Oxygen level , heart beat, bp , sleep and steps

The BP is no where near accurate 🤷🏻‍♀️But the rest is ok , I want to get a new one that might be more accurate on the bp side etc but don’t want one particularly the tells me phone calls etc and I wondered if anyone had any input as I’m always a bit dubious of right ups on sites that obviously want to sell their product

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Hazel1010 profile image
Hazel1010
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17 Replies
BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Very few gadgets for BP are accurate if you are in AF.

Hazel1010 profile image
Hazel1010 in reply toBobD

hi , I know a watch will never be 100% accurate on bp but the one I have just tried was saying 110/68 which I’d love when in reality it’s high at around 150/90 and I’m trying to get it down ……..I don’t mind a bit of Lee way so to speak 👍😊

Hiya Hazel,

TBH, I don't go for smart watches. They are more expensive than I need to pay for the stuff I want. Forget such devices being any good for BP. They are not accurate.

I use an Omron Evolve Automatic Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor EVOLV (HEM-7600T-E). Approved by NICE for capturing irregular HR and AF.

Then I use a Garmin Tracker - a Garmin Forerunner 35, this tracks my HR, steps, sleep, (Google it on Garmin website) plus all the normal wrist watch features. I think this model has had an upgrade since I bought mine a few years ago. It has other things to which I don't need and don't use 'cos i'm not an exercise freak/junkie. It works through a smartphone App ... should all be on website.

I would never rely on a smartwatch or a tracker to provide accurate, meaningful BP details.

John

Hazel1010 profile image
Hazel1010 in reply to

morning , it was only because I’ve bought a replacement watch , just a cheap version that I’ve been using for years for walking and getting off my bum 😂 and all of a sudden I had a perfect bp from it 😂😂😂 I am now ignoring that bit , I just wondered what other people thought .I have a proper bp monitor if I need to take it .

Thanks for your help and have a lovely day 😊

Lakky12 profile image
Lakky12

regardless of which one you go for, don’t become a slave to it. I’ve stopped wearing mine as it was ruling my life! I was constantly checking my heart rate, oxygen levels and everything else! Feel much better now that it’s languishing in a drawer!

Hazel1010 profile image
Hazel1010 in reply toLakky12

believe me I know , I turned into a complete wreck checking every vital sign every minute 😊

It was just that I had bought a replacement smart watch and my bp was suddenly perfect 🤷🏻‍♀️😂 but when I got out my cuff monitor discovered it was still its usual higher reading ( I’m seeing the doc Monday )

This made me wonder if there was a better model…….but I’m going back to my normal routine of ignore the watch bp as it was more for activity and just take my bp as needed

Thanks for your help , have a lovely day x

Lakky12 profile image
Lakky12 in reply toHazel1010

I use a cuff Monitor - I try and do a week’s worth of readings once a month. I’m much more relaxed and far less anxious now that I don’t wear a Fitbit. You have a lovely day too!

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply toLakky12

Exactly what I warn people about. I only ever started to feel better when the batteries went flat! lol 😁

Lakky12 profile image
Lakky12 in reply toBobD

brilliant! 🤣🤣🤣

Dave678 profile image
Dave678

Hi Hazel1010 - I’ve currently got 4 types of monitoring watches etc and my ranking of HR accuracy as follows:-

Best = Polar HR monitor with chest strap; then Apple Watch 7 (nearly as good as Polar + has ECG & Blood Oxygen etc); next Fitbit Versa 3 (not as accurate as Apple - but not bad); last = Garmin Instinct (nice looking watch but not worth it for HR reading in my opinion).

The one I use mostly is the Apple Watch + also attach Polar strap if going for bike ride or run etc.

No knowledge of other monitors/watches etc like Samsung etc but hope above of help.

No watch in my mind is any good for BP so I put on an Omron wrist checker daily to record that.

Hope of use and good luck with your choice.

Hazel1010 profile image
Hazel1010 in reply toDave678

good morning, I think you and several others have hit the nail on the head that watches will not replace a bp monitor for accuracy and too be honest I don’t need to know it every minute of the day so checking it morning and night would probably be better , thank you for your help 👍😊

Dave678 profile image
Dave678 in reply toHazel1010

Good idea Hazel1010 - I just take my BP each evening at same time and then put figures in an Excel s/sheet which I can show to my GP and Consultant. Been doing for over 3 years now + quite interesting to see changes in graph trends etc when you swap medication or need to have it changed!

momist profile image
momist

I seriously doubt that any wrist watch configuration can really be accurate at blood pressure. The cheaper 'pulse monitor' watches are useless for heart rate when in AF, for reasons I've explained very often before, but I believe the more expensive ones like the Apple ones are better. Only those where you must touch the watch with your other hand and initiate a monitor period will ever be really good at that. BP? Nah, never.

2learn profile image
2learn

Why do you need it? Is a medical necessity or just a stress instigator

Hazel1010 profile image
Hazel1010

bit of both really , I high blood pressure that I’m trying to get under control……but I do have a proper bp monitor that I can use if required I just wondered if any devices were better than the one I have 🤷🏻‍♀️

Cloggie2013 profile image
Cloggie2013

Using my Iwatch 6 and now 8 for many years to keep an eye on my PAF. The Iwatch can warn you when an irregular heartbeat occurs, and you can set alarms for low and high heartbeats. Together with my Iphone (you need an Iphone 8 or higher for the Iwatch 8 and Ultra) Heartwatch and Health apps (free) I can measure HR and more importantly HRV(ariation) (the average time between heart beats) accurately. With the graphs on the Health app you can see when the Afib started and ended including the heart rate. You can also measure a 'one lead' ECG easily on the Iwatch and save those or share them with your Iphone app with others if you want to. You can find good deals of refurbished Iwatches (and Iphones) on the internet and Ebay. The Iwatch also measures loads of other variables like your blood oxygen, sleep and exercise variables. It also tells you the time!

Hazel1010 profile image
Hazel1010 in reply toCloggie2013

good morning, thanks for the reply with good info and advice 👍 have a lovely day 😊

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