Choosing a heart rate monitor

Health and wellness are becoming more and more digital. That means heart rate monitors are popping up everywhere: on exercise equipment, smartwatches and cool new workout gadgets.

A heart rate monitor is a device that measures the number of times someone’s heart beats per minute (bpm). That information can reveal lots of important information, like when to ramp up a workout or if someone should talk to their health care provider about their heart rate.

With so many options on the market, shopping for a heart rate monitor might be a little confusing. Read on to learn why tracking heart rate is important and things to consider when selecting a heart rate monitor. 

In this article:

Why is heart rate important?

Heart rate can tell someone a lot about their physical state. Healthy adults have a normal resting heart rate (the heart rate when they’re relaxed and inactive) of 60 to 100 bpm. This range tends to be on the lower side for athletes and avid exercisers.

Several factors can affect heart rate, including caffeine consumption, health conditions, medication and stress. Emotion can affect heart rate, too. Heart rate also fluctuates throughout the day, especially when someone exercises.

On the exercise front, measuring heart rate as someone works out can serve a different purpose: It can help them find the right intensity or target heart rate. A person’s age-predicted maximum heart rate is calculated to be about 220 minus their age. Target heart rate should be about 50 to 70 percent of their maximum heart rate for moderate-intensity activities and 70 to 85 percent for vigorous physical activity. These figures are just a general guide, so speak to a health care provider who can help determine an appropriate target.

No matter what someone is doing, if their heart beats too quickly or too slowly, it can be dangerous. That’s why providers recommend a heart rate monitor for some people, explains Anita Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH, an internal medicine doctor and rheumatologist in Connecticut.

“Often that includes people who are newly starting to increase their physical activity; those who have symptoms during activity, such as palpitations, in which long-term heart rate monitoring may be helpful; and those who simply need reassurance that their heart rate is normal,” says Dr. Chandrasekaran.

Although she feels heart rate monitors are a good screening tool, she also explains that it’s important not to jump to conclusions about results.

“While these devices can be helpful,” she says, “they aren’t as accurate as approved medical devices, and they shouldn’t be used in place of medical care from a physician.” If someone notice abnormal results, she adds, they should follow up with their health care provider. 

What types of heart rate monitors are out there?

Several types of heart rate monitors are on the market. Over-the-counter (OTC) products have been designed for a wide range of uses and include devices worn around the chest, finger and wrist.

The right monitor for an individual will depend on how they intend to use it. If they need it to guide exercise, something that lets them move easily is best. For people that want the most reliable and accurate results, explains Dr. Chandrasekaran, a chest band is typically better than a device placed on the wrist. 

Helpful features and functions of heart rate monitors

If someone is only interested in measuring heart rate, a device with extra bells and whistles may not suit them. However, many people enjoy tracking multiple aspects of their health and fitness and might want to link that data to smartphone apps.

Dr. Chandrasekaran wears a smartwatch. “It connects to my phone and laptop and also provides the ability to check an electrocardiogram, monitor oxygen levels and monitor my activity levels (like step counts),” she says. “Someone can also graph heart rate variability, which is an important measure of cardiac health.”

That data doesn’t need to be for the individual’s eyes only. Sharing health data with their health care provider is one way to make use of the device. Remember to check the individual product features of the heart rate monitor and use it as directed on the label.

How much do heart rate monitors cost?

Heart rate monitors have a wide price range, depending on the brand, style and capabilities. More sophisticated devices with additional features can run up to $300. In addition, some products include subscription services for ongoing programs — like exercise classes or food logging apps — that may involve yearly or monthly charges.

Depending on someone’s health insurance plan, they may have access to discounts. Heart rate monitors may be eligible for payment using a health savings account (HSA), a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) or a flexible spending account (FSA). People can check with an insurance provider carrier if they have one of these accounts. If a health care provider has concerns about someone’s heart rate, they may also recommend certain monitoring options.

There are several affordable options to monitor heart rate. Doing so could potentially help a person’s health in the long term. It always pays to keep their finger on the pulse of their heart.