BPM Monitor - Smart Watch 🏃

[syednc]

Hi, hope you are doing well.

Can someone recommend me a nice smart watch which has decent bpm monitor and can be used to calculate calories burned while Running?

Thanks in advance! 🙂

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I think the only validated heart monitor watch is the current generation Apple iWatch. Rather expensive!

At the cheap end of the scale, not validated, there are devices like the Xiaomi Mi Band 3. Cheap and cheerful.

Something like a fifteen to one price ratio!

[Airmed in reply to helvella]

Hi Helvella, did get current Apple Watch and the heart rate monitor is fab along with activity monitor. I use it for other reasons but I have to say this was a major deciding factor. Like you say it is an expensive product though. In the not too distant future it will also detect AF and perform ECGs all of which are downloadable. So the reasoning behind this purchase is I can show GP and endo all my exercise, heart rate and first sign of AF (have been told there is an increased risk due to meds) as well as calorie intake (MyFitness pal) largely to justify my T3 script. Last time I saw the endo she asked if I had high blood pressure, I don’t, normally on the low side and a resting HB of around 60. Also had a fast heart beat. I knew T3 was going to get the blame. I just told her that I wasn’t surprised, normally both on the low side. Reason for high output was due to stress of someone trying to take my meds off me! Then promptly took out all the tests I had done on my home monitor (same as hospital one) to prove it. However, Apple activity centre contains so much data and not just a snapshot of you at your 10 minute appointment. Worth every penny in my book. Wore it to bed one night to see resting HB lowest I think was 44. So much for T3 increasing my HB! I think they should be on NHS script for all Thyroidies. Will tell that to CCG chap when we next talk😂.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Airmed]

From £399 (Series 4).

Mind, a decent dedicated monitor which is fully validated could well cost at least that much.

[syednc in reply to Airmed]

What a sound reply!

Thanks Airmed for sharing your experience with Apple Watch.

I don’t plan on getting the Apple smart watch as it’s just too expensive! £400 is way out of my pocket. Something around £150 like Garmin would do for me 🙂

[Airmed in reply to syednc]

I can understand that, mine actually cost £529 however all my other tech is Apple and it all ‘talks’ to each other so is well used. I do have a garmin too, not the newest one though. I believe they are really good but only ever used mine as exercise monitor. Have to say it isn’t as intuitive as Apple Watch though. What about Fitbit. They seem to be very popular at the moment.

[syednc in reply to Airmed]

I also use iPhone and iPad but recently been fed up with Apple’s overpricing of all products. I think Apple watch will be expensive choice but better one as it will sync with phone simultaneously. The Series 3 watch was £221 at Amazon on Cyber Monday but Series 4 is the real deal with lot more features plus bigger screen as well. My friend uses Fitbit and he is also much impressed with it. Maybe I should wait a little more and gather funds for Apple watch, I am so confused 🤷‍♂️😕

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to syednc]

I think (and you need to check this) that the heart monitoring from the Series 3 iWatch is not validated. Please do correct me if I am wrong.