HT204666: Your heart rate. What it means, and where on Apple Watch you’ll find it.

Learn about Your heart rate. What it means, and where on Apple Watch you’ll find it.
DGee4

Q: Does any one know if the Apple watch heart monitor works if worn above the elbow

Hi

 

Apple are great when it comes to healthcare professionals. The iPad has revolutionised the health care field and their research kit and health app set to expand their products applications. As a healthcare professional I am not allowed to wear anything below the elbow for infection control purposes. I was wondering whether the apple watch successfully monitors heart rate if worn above the elbow on the upper arm for times when I will be on wards?

 

thank you!

Apple Watch, iOS 8.3, Heart monitor

Posted on May 13, 2015 3:36 AM

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Q: Does any one know if the Apple watch heart monitor works if worn above the elbow

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  • by jaredfs,

    jaredfs jaredfs May 13, 2015 5:15 AM in response to DGee4
    Level 2 (309 points)
    May 13, 2015 5:15 AM in response to DGee4

    I'm guessing it wouldn't work as reliably but would still read reasonably well.  The sensors read color changes in through your skin that indicate oxygenation is occurring below the surface.  It's been designed and tuned to read at your wrist, which I assume has veins closer to the surface and therefore more easily detected by the sensors, but I'm sure the same changes occur to a lesser extent further up your arm.

  • by SoGood,

    SoGood SoGood May 13, 2015 5:48 PM in response to DGee4
    Level 2 (195 points)
    May 13, 2015 5:48 PM in response to DGee4

    Don't see any reason why it would not work, even on your chest. As long as the optical sensors are in contact with normal skin where there's dermal blood flow, it would work.