Cardiio: Heart Rate Monitor

Generally good. The sensor part of the app does a reasonable job, when the circulation to my finger is good. Sometimes after a strenuous workout, or even during one measurements can get squirrelly. My BP tends towards low and so sometimes given the right circumstances it looks like I'm flat lining it. The basic app is festooned with adds/add-ons of dubious benefit. Not quite as bad as some of the other count your heartbeat apps, but they're there. Update 8/17 They've upgraded the measurement function so it reliably works on my iPhone 7. It's much better than doing a remote facial pulse determination. The add ons are still a bit gooey. I'm certain waveform will prove useful, but getting useful medical data from sporadic measurements is a bit weird.

Before using Cardio I tried several 'free' apps and a few paid apps and all were unsatisfactory. First, most of these other apps indicate they are for iPhone and iPad but they do not work on the iPad because to take a finger reading you need a camera with light--iPad has no camera light. The Cardio app works on both iPhone and iPad and automatically imports results into Apple's Health app. Cardio measures pulse by either finger or face readings on iPhone and by face on the iPad. Readings are very accurate and match the exact same values taken in my physician's office. Excellent customer service if you have any questions.

Generally works well. The finger measurement seems easier than the face measurement. My complaint is that after major exertion, like biking a few miles up and down slopes, it can't immediately get a reliable reading - maybe breathing heavily means I’m not still enough for a reliable finger reading. For example, it initially gives a reading of 140, then at the end of the whole measurement session won’t record it as reliable. I retest and get about 10 bpm slower, by which time I feel like my heart rate has slowed a bit. I think the 140 initial reading was accurate. I’m going to look for another app to try.

I use this once per day to check my rested heart rate. I checked it against the one I wear when working out and they both are right on the mark. I like the reminder to check my HR each day or I'd probably forget. The comparison of my results to people in history and other countries is interesting. I recommend this app to anybody that has decided to take a more active approach to monitoring their health. I should also mention that I have checked two other heart rate monitors that use the same technology. Cardio is the only one that is even close to being accurate.

I really like this app. It’s a tool I can use as often as I want in a day to keep tabs on my heart rate. I downloaded the app one night when I felt my heart running away with itself. The reading and additional information and estimates scared me enough to make some needed changes in my life. That night I also downloaded two other apps that were not user friendly. My mother started using this app a few weeks before me and highly recommends it. She has CHF and is working hard to control it. Thank you for being my constant companion on my journey back to good health!