Using Technology to Gauge Your Health
Your heart beats 100,000 times a day, so it’s a good idea to check up on your hard-working heart. In addition to monitoring your activity new heart monitoring gadgets can also provide feedback on your hearts health, in real time. We have taken the time to review some of the top devices for tracking your heart, health and vitals.
AliveCor Heart Monitor
This monitor checks up on any abnormal heart rhythms with AliveCor heart monitor. This is useful for patients who have arrhythmia; palpitations or just those who want to learn more about their physiology and heart’s electrical system. It is described as very user friendly and with the accompanying app, you can record your medications, caffeine and alcohol consumption or sleep and exercise habits so you can zero in on what might be causing any irregularities.
The Mio Fuse Device
The Mio Fuse device is worn on your wrist for EKG-accurate heart-rate data without having to wear a chest strap. Mio Fuse also tracks your steps, pace, distance and calories. Easily connect to your smart phone device or you can sync it to your GPS watch. It’s beneficial for those athletic people and patients interested in interval training. The wristband also has an optical sensor for tracking heart rate, the single most important variable when exercising. The display screen on the band updates with your real-time heart rate, so you know just how hard you’re working out during your sessions.
ResMed S+ Sleep Sensor
Analyze and improve your sleep with personalized feedback from the ResMed S+ Sleep Sensor. A device that doesn’t even have to be in contact with your skin. The S+ monitors your breathing and movement while you sleep and syncs with your device or tablet. People don’t realize how crucial sleep patterns and habits are related to overall health and fitness. The bedside sensor uses this nightly data and creates feedback on environmental factors and quality of sleep. Within a few nights of using this people report feeling more rested.
Withings Pulse 02 Activity Tracker
Described as one of the most wearable devices on the market the Withings Pulse 02 Activity Tracker, measures your steps, distance, calories burned and some can even measure sleep and heart rate. The Withings Pulse O2 measures all that plus your blood oxygen level. It can even be worn on your clothes, attached to a wristband or hidden in your pocket.
Scanadu Scout
When you’re at the doctor’s office, the nurse takes your vitals. So does the Scanadu Scout. This device is placed on your forehead for an instant readout of your temperature, heart rate, blood oxygen level and more. It also analyzes, tracks and trends your vitals. Including your systolic and diastolic blood pressure. All of this information in just ten seconds! Please be aware that this is not a replacement for your doctor. However, you can use the results to share with your doctor and spark discussions about your health. The FDA approval is still pending; you can sign up for updates here.
iHealth Wireless Pulse Oximeter
The iHealth Wireless Pulse Oximeter clips onto your finger and provides an instant readout of your blood oxygen saturation level (SpO2) and pulse rate. SpO2 refers to the amount of oxygen in the blood. Natural levels are between ninety-five and one hundred percent. Ninety to ninety-five percent is low but not typically seen as a risk. Concentrations below ninety percent may be symptoms of hypoxemia, sleep apnea, asthma or other problems that would require a medical evaluation.
Omron 10 Series Blood Pressure Monitor
Some people need to track their blood pressure several times daily. This gadget will simplify the process. The Omron 10 Series Blood Pressure Monitor charts your readings throughout the day and can help your doctor figure out if the in-office reading is precise. As some people are affected by what’s known as the “white-coat hypertension”, which is high blood pressure due to anxiety. This device has been clinically proven and can store up to 200 readings! Another advantage is that the large screen is user friendly, easy to read and provides indicator lights to let you know if your reading is within the healthy range.
Tinke
Last but not least, Tinke device can measure your fitness and stress via your heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation and heart rate variability. Resting your thumb on the sensor provides an accurate reading within thirty to sixty seconds. Once you sync the device with the app, you’ll also get two scores. Your vita index takes into account your heart rate, blood oxygen level and respiratory rate and then fine-tunes it based on your gender and age. The Zen index gives you an idea of how stressed you are and shows you how to focus your breathing patterns to reduce stress levels.
Many of the medical gadgets that we have reviewed are compatible with most devices and tablets. Please confirm this before making a purchase and remember that none of these devices should be used as a replacement for your physician.
Dr. Kushwaha is a board certified Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in Spine Surgery. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment please call, (713) 587-6263.