The Best 4 Portable Health Monitoring Devices

Nowadays, there are more ways to keep track of your health and well-being than ever before. And with so many options on the market, it can be tough to know which devices are worth your investment. To help you decide, keep reading to learn about four of the best portable health monitoring devices on the market today.

1. Pulse oximeters.

A pulse oximeter is a small, portable health monitoring device that attaches to your finger and measures the amount of oxygen in your blood. It's a non-invasive way to check on how well your lungs are functioning. Whether you’re at rest or your activity level is elevated, this tool can be extremely useful to have on hand. This is especially true if you are suffering from an illness that obstructs your airflow, such as COVID-19 or bronchitis.

When testing, it’s important to know that the medical profession recognizes a normal oxygen level as being between 95 and 100 percent. A lower reading might indicate that there is an infection in your lungs or that you have an undiagnosed lung condition, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).See Disclosure ¹ If you have symptoms of low oxygen saturation, such as shortness of breath, headache, rapid heartbeat, or a sense of euphoria, it is important to seek medical care promptly.

2. Fall detectors.

If you are considered at risk for falls, it’s important to invest in a medical alert device that will alert a healthcare professional or emergency services to come to your aid as quickly as possible. There are now cell phones, watches, and other smart health devices that are specifically designed to get you help quickly and easily.

Many of these can even be programmed to detect falls in case you are unable to activate them on your own. If you can, there is usually a button for contacting medical services without having to specifically dial 9-1-1, which helps inform emergency workers about what kind of issue they are responding to. Plus, some include a built-in GPS so that loved ones and emergency responders can track your location.

3. Fitness trackers.

Fitness trackers come with multiple capabilities. The simplest designs track your activity level by using a 3-axis accelerometer to measure speed and estimate how many steps you take each day. Some devices also feature a gyroscope to gather even more accurate data about your position.

Beyond the basics, you can upgrade your fitness tracker’s ability to understand and analyze your workout by choosing one with an altimeter, which tells you how many feet you have climbed or descended. This feature is very useful if you go for runs on hilly terrain or hike in the mountains. Additionally, if you want precise location data (which improves the ability to track steps), choose a fitness tracker with GPS.

Activity trackers are also useful to monitor your sleep health. Good sleep is crucial to your well-being and sleep tracking can give you a better sense of whether you’re getting enough. This fitness tracker function monitors your sleep cycles by detecting motion from the wrist. Then you can review the data in the morning to see how much rest you’re getting and how many disruptions are occurring in the night.

By using all this technology, your fitness tracker can offer valuable feedback on your activity level by giving you step counts, distance traveled, floors climbed, and an estimation of calories burned. With a clear picture of your physical fitness, you can set goals for yourself and improve your overall health and wellness.

4. Heart rate monitors.

There are various types of portable heart rate monitors that can help you keep an eye on your cardiovascular health. One is a chest strap model that provides the most reliable readings (outside of medical-specific equipment) because they are worn close to your heart. According to the American College of Cardiology, chest strap monitors are more accurate because they read the electrical pulse put out by your heart.See Disclosure ² As a result, they are not affected by bodily movement like fitness trackers which rely on light-based pulse readings. Many people who work out opt to use a fitness tracker with a heart rate monitor because it gives them a more detailed picture of their calories burned during exercise.

Another type is a pocket monitor that you can pull out to test your heart rate if you think you’re experiencing an issue. These models take their reading through your fingers and are used to watch for signs of atrial fibrillation (A-fib). A-fib is an irregular and rapid heartbeat and often indicates that can lead to serious heart conditions, such as blood clots and stroke.See Disclosure ³

Things to consider with health monitoring devices.

Keep in mind that a health monitoring device is not a replacement for proper medical care. It’s a good idea to schedule routine checkups with a health professional to get a clear understanding of your physical state. But if you need to have a general idea of your blood oxygen level, activity progress and heart rate, they are handy tools that are compact enough to fit in your purse or work bag. And if you live alone or want to have more peace of mind surrounding a loved one who is actively aging, medical alert devices are a great way to be connected to assistance when needed.

References.

1. Agarwal, Anuj K., Avais Raja and Brandon D. Brown. “Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.” StatPearls Publishing. January 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559281/.

2. “Wrist-worn Heart Rate Monitors Less Accurate Than Standard Chest Strap.” American College of Cardiology, American College of Cardiology. March 8, 2017. https://www.acc.org/about-acc/press-releases/2017/03/08/14/02/wrist-worn-heart-rate-monitors-less-accurate-than-standard-chest-strap.

3. Berian, Julia R. and Livingston, Edward H. “Preventing Stroke in People With Atrial Fibrillation.” JAMA Network, American Medical Association. July 21, 2015. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2397836.