Can a FitBit Help Signal A Larger Health Issue?

Advances in semiconductor technology allow for more people to have access to wearable cardiac monitors, such as the Fitbit and Apple Watch, to aid in health maintenance and promote fitness. More commonly known as heart rate monitors, these are devices designed to help track personal health baselines and goals. They can be worn unobtrusively and even fashionably on the wrist, chest, as a pulse monitor worn on the wrist, or are also included in a popular brand of headphone. They often communicate wirelessly with smartphone applications or other central programs to process, store, and display the information. These wearable technological advancements allow for more deliberate personal ownership of health by providing continuous monitoring and immediate feedback without having to pause life.

Many think these devices are just a fun way to track daily activity levels, but they can also a crucial component to identifying potential health problems. Despite possible inaccuracies due to the difficulty of capturing precise heart rate information from the wrist, they provide the user with baseline information that helps determine if a sudden fluctuation in heart rate is abnormal and should be discussed with a medical professional.

For example, a college student studying for exams suddenly had her resting heart rate jump from 84bpm to 210bpm. She was rushed to the hospital and it was discovered she had an undetected heart condition and would have died if she hadn’t been aware of the sudden change.

Events like this show the benefit in being aware of what is and is not normal for each individual person, even when the device is not up to the standard of medical-grade devices. Medical-grade devices are worn on the chest, over the heart, and detect electrical activity being transmitted through the heart muscle and making it contract. Wrist monitors use a light on the bottom of the device, next to the skin, that records a beat when the light changes. Any device that empowers individuals to monitor and take control of their health is beneficial, but for those with a suspected or known heart problem, it may be time to consider a more sophisticated wearable cardiac monitor, like the ones available from ReactDx. For more information on our wide range of portable cardiac monitoring devices.

contact ReactDx at 800-234-3278 (800-23-HEART).

Jodi is a seasoned Human Resources professional who thrives on change and transformation. She fell in love with Human Resources when she attended Penn State University for graduate school in Public Administration with a curriculum that emphasized Human Resources. After earning her Master’s degree she began her career in the manufacturing industry in Talent Acquisition and was eventually assigned the overall HR Management responsibility of three divisions which included collective bargaining. Ultimately, she made her way to transitioning a new division of a Fortune 100 company under the corporate model as well as developing and executing Human Resources policies and procedures across a broad range of functional disciplines. At the next juncture of her career, she was tapped on the shoulder by former Executives that she previously worked with to join in on an exciting start-up. Today, Jodi is the Vice President of Talent Relations and Development for Medicomp Inc dba ReactDx and is responsible for managing the strategic Human Resources function which includes mergers and acquisitions for this rapidly expanding company.

Jodi and her husband enjoy landscaping, finding new restaurants and traveling whenever life gives them the opportunity.

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    On: all lights. Off: no light. Monitoring - Good: green light. Symptom press: green light, sound. Check Pendant: blue light. Check Battery: red light, sound.
    Do: wear always, fully insert in cradle, turn off to charge, dry, key near handset, return promptly. Don't: discard pendant, submerge, move patch