Heart rate monitors are currently very popular not only among professional athletes, but also among ordinary people who monitor their health. In stores you can find many types of these devices. Simple and easy to use finger heart rate monitor. Let us consider in more detail in which cases this device will be useful and which models are worth paying attention to.
What is a heart rate monitor?
Active people will find it helpful to learn about a device like a heart rate monitor. A small-sized device that allows you to constantly monitor the heart rate and the permissible rate of physical activity. Such gadgets are almost always used by athletes involved in athletics, swimming, cycling.
In medical practice, doctors strongly recommend the use of devices for this purpose to people who have any disturbances in the functioning of the heart muscle or the pathology of the vascular system. Similar diseases are often found in old age and require constant monitoring of cardiac activity. The most convenient in this case will be a heart rate monitor on your finger. In Moscow and any other major cities, the device can be purchased at sports stores or at points of sale of medical equipment.
Types of heart rate monitors
Modern models of heart rate monitors are divided into two types: wired and wireless. More convenient in use, of course, are those devices from which the signal is transmitted over the air in digital or analog mode. Devices can be worn on clothing, a wrist or finger, mounted on the handlebars of a bicycle (trainer).
According to the type of sensor design, heart rate monitors are divided into:
- devices having an integrated sensor;
- devices whose sensor is worn on the ear or finger;
- devices with a chest sensor (considered the most accurate).
Principle of operation
A finger heart rate monitor and other similar devices operate on the basis of a cardiograph. The sensor on the device captures the signals that occur during contraction of the heart muscle. Then the received data falls into the device itself, which processes them and displays the result on the display. Values received per day can be stored on the device for some time. If necessary, they can be shown to a doctor or trainer.
When to use?
It is recommended that people with heart problems use a heart rate monitor on a finger on an ongoing basis. Especially without them you can not do during increased physical activity - a long walk, cleaning the house. “Mini-doctor” will timely inform about the need to take a break and rest. It should be borne in mind that the heart rate monitor will not replace other devices that allow you to monitor the patient's condition.
Heart Rate Functions
Each device model has a number of useful features. A medical heart rate monitor on a finger must record heart rate data. Moreover, on most devices, it is possible to introduce borderline maximum and minimum heart rate values. If the heart rate has reached these values, the device will notify the owner with an audio signal.
Modern gadgets have the ability to build graphs and tables based on monitoring data. This will help the specialist see how the patient’s heart rate changes during the day, and schedule additional studies.
Different types of heart rate monitors on a finger have another useful feature - calorie counting. This allows you to choose the necessary physical activity. “Advanced” heart rate monitors are capable of transmitting data via wi-fi (or bluetooth) to a personal computer, smartphone.
Devices that athletes use should keep a history of training, warn of the need to slow down or increase the pace, display speed (and sometimes height), create an individual workout, show the average heart rate and lap time. In addition, almost every heart rate monitor has the functions of a clock, alarm and stopwatch.
How to choose a heart rate monitor on your finger?
Photos and an overview of some of the popular finger heart rate models will be presented below. Heart rate meters of this kind have several advantages over others. Due to the absence of wires, they do not constrain movements. It should be borne in mind that analog devices can give inaccurate readings if a person with the same device is nearby. More expensive models have a signal encoding function that will avoid such situations.
Light weight and the size of heart rate monitors on a finger allows you to use them in any situation. A significant advantage is the protection against moisture. The case of some products for athletes is usually made of special waterproof materials that allow you to use the heart rate monitor even in bad weather conditions. Waterproof heart rate monitors are designed for swimmers. Conventional medical devices generally do not have these features and are made of durable plastic.
When choosing such a gadget, you need to pay attention to what purpose it will be used for and what minimum set of functions it should have. This directly affects the cost of the device.
Heart Rate Monitor ID-501-FC
The device helps to measure heart rate. A fairly simple device that does not have additional functions, but at the same time is in demand among consumers due to its low cost. The price of a heart rate monitor is 750-1200 rubles.
The body of the product is made of plastic and has the form of a ring. The display is not touch, it shows only the frequency of heartbeats (error not more than 10). You can use the device both for sports and for medical purposes. A finger heart rate monitor ID-501-FC is made in Taiwan and has a small warranty period of operation - only 1 month. The reviews say that with proper use, the gadget can last much longer.
Heart Rate Monitor Pulse Plus ID-503
The model in appearance resembles the previous one - the device is made in the form of a ring that is worn on a finger. It allows you to accurately measure the pulse both during training and in a calm state. The finger heart rate monitor of this model is patented in many countries. The cost of the device is 3500-4300 rubles.
A miniature product allows you to enter personal data, determine the ambient temperature, count the number of heartbeats and lost calories, calculate the integral load for one workout. The heart rate monitor shows an average heart rate and reports a low battery.
Oximeter - what kind of device?
A device such as a heart rate monitor-oximeter allows you to control the level of oxygen in the blood and monitor the work of the heart muscle in the blood. The device is put on a finger like a clothespin. It consists of two parts that are interconnected and reinforced by a spring. The inner work surface is made of rubber to prevent slipping.
Pulse oximeters are equipped with a display that displays all the necessary data. They can be used both for single use and for continuous monitoring of saturation and heart rate. The device allows you to quickly get the measurement result, which greatly facilitates the task in the process of patient diagnosis.
A highly informative research method makes it possible to evaluate the work of the respiratory system and timely recognize the lack of oxygen. Pulse oximeters are used in anesthesiology, for diseases of the lungs and bronchi. It is recommended to resort to the use of the device to people who have professional pathologies of the respiratory system, a low level of hemoglobin.
Heart Rate Monitor: reviews
Gadgets that provide information on the number of heartbeats and oxygen saturation of the blood are very popular not only among athletes. Reviews of ordinary people suggest that with the help of such easy-to-use devices you can constantly monitor your health condition and correctly distribute physical activity. A heart rate monitor on a finger is often used as an express diagnosis.
The cost of the device depends on the country of manufacture and functionality. The most affordable are Chinese-made heart rate monitors, which only allow you to measure your heart rate. Modern models are equipped with many additional functions: large built-in memory, communication with a PC, calorie counter, compass, thermometer, barometer, load balancer, encoded sensor, GPS-navigator.