Wrist-Worn Heart Rate Monitors Less Accurate Than Standard Chest Straps

Wrist-worn fitness trackers have been gaining popularity of late, from recording steps taken to measuring the heart rate, which is often used to calculate calories loss during an exercise. However, an accurate heart rate reading is important for people with heart problems.

Researchers at Cleveland Clinic have found that the old-fashioned chest strap monitor is the most accurate measurement tool, regardless of the intensity of the workout, as the readings match closest to that from an electrocardiogram (the gold standard for measuring the heart’s activity).

Wrist-worn devices can equally over- and underestimate the heart rate, with an error range from +/-34 beats per minute to +/-15 beats per minute, depending on the type of activity.

Although the study is based on small sample size, it is important to note that wrist-worn monitors are not intended to be medical devices, as they may not provide accurate heart rate readings.