If you search for Heart Rate Variability (HRV) monitoring apps for iPhone, you will soon feel overwhelmed by the number of apps coming your way. Choosing the right app can be tricky. This process takes time and patience that many of us do not have.
Still, that should not be a reason to miss out on the benefits that a quality Heart health app has to offer. And so, we are bringing you the top 7 Heart monitoring apps for iPhone.
Be aware that these Apps only monitor your HRV using the phone camera and not the full ECG. Healthcare professionals will still require an ECG data reading and analysis.
Why Do You Need a Heart Monitor App?
HRV, short for heart rate variability, shows time fluctuations between your heartbeats which impacts morbidity regarding both mental and physical well-being. The main method used to detect these beats is ECG which stands for electrocardiogram. This test measures the electrical activity of the heart. This helps to detect any existing heart issues such as arrhythmias one of the most common health issues known to man.
Nowadays, we keep hearing about portable ECG devices that you can use in the comfort of your home. But if you do not have such a device yet, there are apps that are easily downloaded to our smartphones, including iPhones. Our smartphones can do a whole lot more than keep us informed about the latest trends on social media. They can also help us keep track of our health, such as cardiovascular health.
HRV apps are easy and convenient to use. The majority of these apps work by covering the back camera of the device with a finger. They can take anywhere between 10 seconds to 1 minute to provide a measurement of your heart rate.
Heart health apps are a good first step to take, but will never replace ECG machines.
With their use, you can keep track of some of your heart parameters and notify the doctor about any concerns that you have. The HRV apps are especially recommended to anyone with a history of heart disease and/or heart attack. But they are also great for any healthy individual who wants to maintain their heart health as well.
How to Choose the Best Heart Monitor App?
When choosing the perfect heart monitor app, there are a few things that you should not ignore. Of course, we will be coming up with some amazing recommendations, but until then, here are some things to consider.
- Hidden costs
Before you set your heart on a health app, do a little research. Get familiar with the free features, and the ones that you will need to pay extra for. Think of your current budget as well and make a decision accordingly. The majority of the Apps charge for valuable services.
- Bonus features
While some heart monitor apps for iPhone are only able to measure your heart rate, others offer bonus features as well. Some apps come with a notes section, medication reminders, and even built-in workouts. Look for an app that has the best bonus features according to your needs.
- User profiles
If you want to share the app with a closed one, choose an app that has the option to create multiple profiles. That way, each person can keep track of their heart rate separately.
- Daily alerts
If your doctor has instructed you to measure your heart rate daily, but you keep forgetting, here is a little trick. Choose an app that comes with daily alerts and reminders. You will never again forget to use the app when needed!
- Heart health App will not replace an ECG reading
It is easy and fun to use the heart health Apps, but for more detailed and medical-grade heart analytics it will not be enough. Consider home use 1-lead ECG device as an alternative.
The Top 7 Heart Monitor Apps for iPhone
Cardiograph Classic
Cardiograph Classic is one of the best heart monitor apps for iPhone. It can also be used on one’s iPad as well. This app allows you to keep track of your heart rate. To do that, it uses the chosen device’s built-in camera to measure the heart rate. Then, it saves the information fur further reference. It even offers a chance to print out the measurements if you want to show them to your doctor. One can create multiple profiles on a shared device so that the whole family can enjoy the app.
Welltory
Welltory allows you to measure your stress and energy levels by simply measuring your heart rate variability. This is a popular method used in healthcare for years now. But not only is Welltory tracking your heart rate variability, energy, and stress levels, it also recommends new habits to help improve the quality of your life and health. This revolutionary app has been featured in Forbes, Inc., Mental Focus, U.S. Science, etc.
Heart Rate Plus Pro
Heart Rate Plus Pro uses the device’s camera and a flashlight to provide accurate measurements of your heart rate. It has been described as instant and convenient to use, thus resulting in easy-to-read results. The Heart Rate Plus Pro app also offers to save up any results and measurements which you can revisit in the future. One of the best features is its automatic reminder. That way, the app keeps reminding you to measure your heart rate at least once a day. This is not a feature that we see in every app, which surely adds to the popularity of Heart Rate Plus Pro.
Instant Heart Rate
Instant Heart Rate is one of the most popular heart monitor apps for iPhone. It has over 35 million users worldwide. It has been rated as the #1 Heart Rate app in the U.S., U.K., Japan, Germany, France, Australia, and many other countries. The name of the app does not lie. Instant Heart Rate does provide accurate measurements of your heart rate in as little as 10 seconds.
FibriCheck
FibriCheck is another winner among the heart monitor apps for iPhone. This at-home screening tool is perfect for any AFib patient, but also for anyone who wants to keep an eye on their heart rate. Fibricheck takes around 1 minute to provide accurate and instant results. One of the key features of the app is are the FibriCheck medical professionals that are waiting to review your results as needed. It is worth mentioning that FibriCheck has been certified by the FDA and C.E. Only paid service.
Cardiio
Not only does Cardiio measure your heart rate, but it also comes with a 7-minute build-in circuit training to help you improve your fitness and endurance. Simply cover your back camera with your finger and allow Cardiio to accurately measure your heart rate. Later, you can review your daily, weekly, and monthly results and gain insight into your cardiovascular health. Plus, with the 7-minute workouts, you can stay in shape without wasting an hour at the gym.
Happitech
Happitech is the world’s first C.E. certified heart health app for smartphones. With its daily use, one can detect any abnormality regarding heart health. One can also track their heart rate at rest and during intensive exercise and also detect the heart rate variability for stress and/or training purposes. Happitech provides 97%+ accurate heart rate monitoring. The app also has more than 50 media mentions and has been featured in USA Today, Spiegel Online, Business Insider, and many more.
Conclusion
Use technology for good and start measuring your heart rate with its help. As the first step, feel free to download one of the 7 recommended apps today. It only takes a few seconds to get accurate, instant results.
Whichever app you end up choosing, remember that for proper medical-grade heart health analytics, the doctor will require an ECG reading.
