How accurate are fitbits for recording pulse?

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My GP has referred me to cardiology because of tachycardia and lightheadedness, probably for a scan of my heart and maybe some monitoring, but with instructions to ring them if I feel worse.

The appointment isn't til January, but I'd quite like to reassure myself. Are the fitbits that record heart rate any good/accurate? Can you see how your heart rate is over the course of the day? Is any particular model best.

I have a Charge 2. I think it's accurate enough. You can keep track of your heartrate throughout the day.

Wrist monitors aren't terribly accurate, but they're not that. bad, especially if you amass weeks or months of data.

More reliable are chest monitors on a strap (try a running shop)

What about pulse oximeters, does anyone know?

Wrist fitbits are pretty inaccurate from a scientific POV for everything heart rate.
Your symptoms are what matters most, here, not what your wrist device says. You wouldn't want it to give you false reassurance, either.

I've had some crazy stupid very Wrong numbers off my POLAR HRM (chest strap), too. Thing is, the doctor won't care, they will only go with what numbers their machine spits out, as what they think is accurate.

Mine overestimated my calories based on HR by about 2x. I know what I'd actually done from distance walked on MFP.

FitBits are reasonably accurate until they get to higher rates whilst exercising but certainly useful to keep an eye on your rate. Pulse oximetry will vary widely from type to type but again, very useful. You will only put it on for short times as opposed to the fitBit that you can wear all the time. You can put on the pulse oximeter when you feel

Posted too soon. Was going to say you could put it in when you feel your rate is high.

Thanks all, I'm a wheelchair user so no real exercise - my GP reckoned that if I was walking around I'd be really feeling it - I wish I'd asked her how high mine is.

Thanks for the advice, sounds like I need to have a think about what to get.

I'd just buy a blood pressure monitor. I think mine was about 15 quid from Lloyds.

I've got a BP monitor, but I can't put it on and off by myself unfortunately, but thanks.

Take it manually, constantly having a device take it may make you more anxious and elevate your pulse and heart rate.

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/how-do-i-check-my-pulse/

Thanks chick, unfortunately I can't do it manually myself. I thought a continuous recording might counteract any white coat syndrome perhaps

Also taking it manually is far more accurate than using any device

Sorry cross post, could you get some one to check it every now and again?

I guess if you got a watch/device it would give you an idea but you might be conscious of wearing it

DD was really poorly a few months ago, hospitalised with raging tonsillitis. We had been back to our GP daily because she was so worried about her for a few days.

DD’s Fitbit had recorded her very high pulse fairly accurately all that week so I would say it was not a bad measure.

Not sure what you would do with the info though.

That's interesting theboxofdelights. I'm just curious about things, for example whether it peaks an hour after taking meds (if it does, that might explain the reading the GP got), also how much it rises when I push myself, the GP is at the end of a long corridor.