gifts that can help improve cardiac health

May 16, 2022

Learn about the latest gadgets that will help improve your loved one’s cardiac health. These devices provide vital information and help your loved one lead a more heart-healthy lifestyle.

Fitness Trackers

This digital technology tracks your loved one’s health and vitals at home. Various types include activity trackers, digital and mobile devices and smartwatches. Fitness trackers are usually worn on the wrist and are small and convenient for everyday use. Some fitness trackers have a digital screen that displays vitals or will send the data to an app on a smart device.

Fitness trackers can monitor your activity level, the number of steps you’ve taken, how many calories you’ve burned, sleep habits and heart rate. That is especially important if your loved one has heart disease or is recovering from a heart attack. Staying on top of their vitals is important for their knowledge and their care team.

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Heart Rate Monitors

Wearable heart rate monitors use sensors attached to the chest to track your loved one’s heart rate. The optical sensors measure heart rate by shining light into the skin. Blood flow changes how the light reflects back to the sensors, where it’s converted into electrical signals sent from the transmitter to a mobile app.

Heart monitors track your loved one’s heart rate throughout the day and can help them improve their overall health. People with cardiac conditions need to track their heart rate during exercise to avoid putting themselves at risk. Some heart monitors come with alarms that alert the wearer if their heart rate exceeds a certain threshold.

Home Blood Pressure Monitors

Taking your blood pressure is an important part of a cardiac care plan. Home blood pressure monitors make it easy for your loved one to check their blood pressure multiple times a day so they can report any concerns to their physician. Blood pressure monitors are available as arm and wrist cuffs and usually include a digital display that provides the systolic and diastolic pressures.

Home blood pressure monitors are relatively inexpensive and do not require a prescription. It’s important to note that wrist blood pressure cuffs aren’t considered as accurate as arm cuffs because an accurate blood pressure reading requires the device to be at heart level.

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Portable EKG Monitors

Portable electrocardiograms (ECG or EKG) measure atrial fibrillation or the electrical activity in your heart. EKGs are designed to show the heart’s function as a graph and can provide heart rhythm information at home or on the go.

These devices are best for your loved one if they have a heart rhythm abnormality. Home EKGs use sensors to measure and record the heart’s electrical activity and send that information to an app on a smartphone or tablet. Your loved one can review their information and hold on to it for their medical appointments.

Call 216-378-2050 or contact Embassy Healthcare online if you have questions about cardiac care, heart monitoring and fitness tracking equipment for seniors.