Fitbit vs. Garmin: Best for Blood Pressure and ECG in Detail 2024 Updated
The rate of cardiovascular diseases and abnormal fluctuations in blood pressure is increasing day by day. It’s crucial to regularly monitor their values.
It’s frustrating and tiring to visit a physician’s clinic every other day to get the values of BP and ECG. You might ask, what’s the solution? You will find the answer on your wrist – maybe you’re not getting my point. Let me clarify it to you.
Now, the word watch isn’t limited to telling time – the new era belongs to smartwatches. These smartwatches are packed with tons of features to become your helping partner in your fitness journey.
The built-in sensors within smartwatches easily monitor BP and ECG values. It just needs a tap on the smartwatch to get an update on your health status.
In the list of smartwatches with health features – Fitbit and Garmin are some of the most trusted brands. To make a wise decision on smartwatches – this article will help you explore Fitbit and Garmin smartwatches for BP and ECG monitoring.
How Smartwatches Measure BP And ECG
ECG Monitoring
Smartwatches have built-in sensors to monitor ECG. They have LED lights that penetrate the skin and detect the rhythm of the heart within a few seconds.
It displays the results in the form of a graphical representation. ECG monitoring is beneficial – especially for older people to monitor heart health regularly.
BP Monitoring
BP monitoring is a crucial health monitoring factor. There are very few smartwatches that have come up with this feature.
The wearables detect changes in blood volume – the sensors analyze the data and give values. This is the latest feature that many smartwatches are looking to integrate into their software.
Result Accuracy
Smartwatches give results that are close to the actual value. But, you can’t solely rely on these readings in case of serious health conditions. These smartwatches are ideal for easily monitoring BP, ECG, and other health parameters daily.
However, smartwatches can’t be alternatives to medical equipment and professional help. You should always consult a healthcare professional in case of serious medical conditions.
Fitbit and Garmin Smartwatches to Measure BP
Unfortunately, Fitbit and Garmin haven’t yet launched smartwatches that can measure BP levels. Fitbit has announced it to launch smartwatches equipped with the technology to monitor BP.
The company claims to use PAT (Pulse arrival time) for the detection of blood pressure. The research is continuing for the introduction of the new technology within Fitbit smartwatches – and we’re waiting for it.
Garmin has an index BPM (an upper arm cuff) for blood pressure detection. However, they haven’t announced the release of any smartwatch that will have the feature of BP monitoring.
Fitbit and Garmin Smartwatches to Measure ECG
Here are some of the top fitbit and garmin smartwatches to measure BP and ECG.
1. Garmin Venue 3
Garmin Venue 3 has a 1.4-inch AMOLED display with Gorilla Glass 3 protection and a fiber-enforced polymer case. It is water-resistant and has a battery life of up to 14 days.
The speaker and microphone allow the usage of assistance and voice-over commands. You get notifications of calls and messages on the tracker. It has 1000 nits brightness to see the screen on bright days. The responsive interface makes it a good choice.
It connects to the Garmin app to display all workouts, training sessions, and data from the smartwatch. There are 30 workout modes to choose from.
Some of the health features of Garmin Venue 3 are heart rate, intensity min, step count, sleep, recovery, ECG, and blood oxygen saturation. The sensor in the tracker detects electrical signals from the heart and analyzes abnormalities in heart functionalities.
2. Garmin Forerunner 945
The design of the Garmin Forerunner 945 is lightweight and comfortable. The screen is 1.2 inches with high resolution. It has silicon straps of high quality. The built-up of the watch is durable and packed with tons of features.
The interface of the smartwatch reacts quickly. You can read and respond to notifications on the fitness tracker. The maps on the watch show trails and minute details. The GPS makes the results of the smartwatch accurate and reliable.
It is one of the Garmin smartwatches that comes with the feature of ECG monitoring. The sensors in the smartwatch detect the abnormality in the heart rhythm or heart disease. The graph informs the user of his heart health.
The health and fitness features of Garmin Forerunner 945 are SpO2 level, VO2 max, intensity min, sleep tracking, calories burnt, menstrual cycle, etc. Different sports activities are yoga, swimming, meditation, treadmill, etc. You can customize the setting of sports.
3. Fitbit Sense 2
Fitbit Sense 2 has a modern, stylish look with a square display and rounded corners. The screen size of Fitbit Sense 2 is 1.69 inches – it comes in an AMOLED display with 336×336 resolution. There are three different colors with interchangeable silicon straps.
It has a microphone attached to it for voice-over commands and voice calls. The water resistance (up to 50m) feature allows you to take it while swimming or bathing.
The built-in GPS tracks indoor and outdoor activities. It offers numerous smartwatches such as sleep tracking, ECG detection, measuring body temperature, and monitoring the body’s stress level.
It has sensors to detect ECG values. The device measures ECG within 30 seconds. The smartwatch syncs with the ECG app to analyze and provide data.
4. Fitbit Charge 5
Fitbit Charge 5 is a compact, comfortable, and easy-to-use fitness tracker. The smartwatch has a colored AMOLED touchscreen with an always-on display. The bright interface makes it easy to see the smartwatch on bright days.
It has a built-in GPS to monitor outdoor activities. The company claims its battery life to be up to 7 days. Now, you don’t have to worry about the rainy season, due to its water resistance (up to 50m) capacity.
The electric sensors record signals from the heartbeat. It collects the ECG data within 30 seconds and gives an electrogram on the tracker and fitness app.
It can monitor stress levels, track sleep cycles, and measure heart rate. It has 20 different workout options for your fitness. Based on the data collected, it suggests meditation, rest, or a workout.