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Should I trust a fitness watch for showing me my blood pressure?

8

8crismon

Concept machine
Over the past week, I've been highly aware of my heart rate and how elevated it is. My anxiety isn't helping things, so I checked the fitness watch I got from Amazon for $25. It says I have hypertension. However, I've looked at reviews for the device, and some say it is inaccurate by 10 to 30 points. So I ask again, should I trust this device?
 
I'd go to doctor and get it done there. There is usually a blood pressure checker in reception. Then hand receptionist the results


Or buy one on Amazon
 
Hypertension is not something to muck about with. If you have concerns about blood pressure or heart rate, see a doctor!

Wrist-based blood pressure monitors can be unreliable. General advice is to go with a proper arm cuff - there are reliable devices for home use that are not too expensive. But if you find that you do have hypertension, what are you going to do about it? See a doctor.
 
AuAL said:
Hypertension is not something to muck about with. If you have concerns about blood pressure or heart rate, see a doctor!

Wrist-based blood pressure monitors can be unreliable. General advice is to go with a proper arm cuff - there are reliable devices for home use that are not too expensive. But if you find that you do have hypertension, what are you going to do about it? See a doctor.
Click to expand...
I think it's just me being hyperaware of my heartbeat, causing my anxiety to bump it up higher. You see, I'm 25 years old, turning 26 in a few weeks, which is a source of anxiety. Also, the weather in Ohio, where I live. I ain't a cold-weather boy.
 
I was given a fitness watch. I compared its blood pressure reading to my arm cuff meter, and it was wildly off on the low side.
 
Personally I wouldn't trust a wrist watch to measure blood pressure. I don't think they are reliably there yet. I'd consider getting a persona blood pressure machine if you really are worried. Log a couple weeks of readings and then based on that info go see a professional. As mentioned above, blood pressure/hypertension is serious and not to be ignored.
 
No do not trust a cheap device you got on Amazon. Not only is the quality of the watch in question, but also the accuracy. If you are truly worried about blood pressure, get a regular cuff monitor and then check with your doctor's office that you are using it correctly and you are getting the same readings that they are with their office monitors.
 
It might be my meds. One of the rare side effects of Buspirone is a fast/rapid heart rate. I think I need to stop taking them.
 
8crismon said:
Over the past week, I've been highly aware of my heart rate and how elevated it is. My anxiety isn't helping things, so I checked the fitness watch I got from Amazon for $25. It says I have hypertension. However, I've looked at reviews for the device, and some say it is inaccurate by 10 to 30 points. So I ask again, should I trust this device?
Click to expand...
Do a measurement study on it. I can pass on the blank form if you want
 
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