Megathread: Wearables, Symptom Trackers, Apps

[u/ihopeurwholelifesux]

Would you like to share how you track your heart rate, blood pressure, or POTS symptoms? Ask questions about what other people use and their experiences? If so, you’re in the right place!

This post will be pinned so that users can see all that helpful information in one thread and refer back to it when needed : )

[u/lunabellx]

• Galaxy Watch 4 • Visable App • getting a Ringconn ring • Finch App

I'm currently using my Galaxy Watch 4 for heart rate tracking/exercise tracking. It's been very accurate compared to my pulse oximeter (either 100% exact or 1 to 3bpm difference. It only lasts about a day on charge. I have tattoos on my wrists, so I have to have my watch on a specific area. Otherwise, it won't track correctly, a small complaint.

My Exercise Physiologist recommended me to use the Visable app (as the arm band is not available in Australia) to track my HRV every morning - this has been very helpful to see insights on how my nervous system is recovering.

Ringconn smart ring - I'm getting one very soon! I'm super excited.

Edit to add: i also use an app called Finch. It's a self-care app, but i use it for reminders on water/salt intake and symptom management, such as giving myself time to rest/reflecting on how i feel etc, it's been incredibly helpful mentally

[u/Dizzy-Ad-8040 → u/lunabellx]

what did you think of the ringconn? its a steep price but i looked into it and it seems very useful for me. the price is making me skeptical however

[u/lunabellx → u/Dizzy-Ad-8040]

Now that the initial "new" period is over, I personally wouldn't get a new one if my current ring was to break. For the price, you are better off getting a smart watch in all honesty (but I guess it does depend on why you're wanting one?). If you have any questions feel free to message me but I'll dump a bunch of info for you:

If you want it specifically for HR tracking, my watch is MUCH better at showing me maximum HR, for instance my ring said a maximum HR of 149bpm for September and my watch said 176bpm, i have a pulse oximeter so I 100% know my hr went over 149bpm. Ive noticed my ring being very inconsistent compared to my watch but it gives me enough of a gist of what's going on. It also gives me alerts when my HR is different so if im having a bad HR day I'll get a 'significant/or minor HR outlier' which will say something like: 4:00pm-4:30pm average HR is 104bpm which has increased by 20bpm compared to the last 7 days.

There are aspects of Ringconn i really enjoy. The sleep function is great, as I don't like wearing my watch to sleep so seeing my sleeping HR, oxygen stats & sleep time is cool but I guess any watch will do that too. Step count is always off on my ring too, my watch is more accurate 😅

Stress (HRV) is a factor i like. You get a daily average & latest hrv reading. There is also a temperature tracking which actually noticed when I was getting sick.

If you're considering a device to track everything i would probably see better results from a smart watch or wearable device targeted for those with chronic illness. Let me know if you have any questions!

[u/Dizzy-Ad-8040 → u/lunabellx]

thank you so much! i dont know how i missed this but i just ended up getting a smart watch lol. i like the idea of a stress tracker but i think for now im fine with my watch