“For many years, heart disease was seen as a condition that primarily affected men, leading to a lack of focus on how it presents itself in women,” explains Dr. George Adesina, a Houston-based cardiologist and medical correspondent.
As a result, education, awareness and research often overlook the unique ways heart disease can impact women.
“With heart disease still being the leading cause of death among women, it’s crucial to stay vigilant about symptoms and advocate for your own health,” Adesina adds.
That’s why having the best devices for tracking heart health and blood pressure is crucial to managing your condition or taking a proactive approach to health.
Ahead, we spoke with cardiologists to learn about the best devices you can add to your daily routine to help take preventative measures against heart concerns.
Best Best Devices for Tracking Heart Health, at a Glance
Best Overall: Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon, $299
Best Blood Pressure Monitor: Maguja Arm Blood Pressure Monitor, $20
Best Device for Working Out: Fitbit Charge 6, $160
Best Monitor for Swimming: Polar Verity Sense Optical Heart Rate Monitor, $100
Best for Those with Heart Conditions: AliveCor KardiaMobile 1-Lead Personal EKG Monitor, $79
Most Accurate Device: Garmin HRM-Fit, $150
Most Affordable: Aleshon Finger Pulse Oximeter, $12 (was $25)
Best Splurge Device: Withings ScanWatch 2, $350
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 60 million women in the United States have some form of heart disease. And for women over 40 experiencing menopause, heart conditions become more common due to changes in estrogen levels.
“After 40, and especially during and after menopause, women experience significant hormonal shifts, particularly a decline in estrogen, which has a protective effect on blood vessels,” says Dr. Sam Setareh of Beverly Hills Cardiovascular. This decline can accelerate early atherosclerosis, leading to an increased risk of hypertension, coronary artery disease, and stroke.
“Proactively monitoring heart health allows for early detection of subtle changes before they progress into more serious conditions,” he adds.
The good news?
Cardiologists ensure that there are plenty of preventative measures you can take to keep your heart healthy. An overall healthy lifestyle is essential for heart health. Both experts recommend adding at least two and a half hours of exercise weekly, paired with a heart-healthy diet.
Below are more tips from Setareh.
Routine Screening: Setareh notes that regular check-ups with blood pressure monitoring, lipid panels, fasting glucose and, when appropriate, coronary calcium scoring and a coronary CT angiography with AI will assess early atherosclerosis.
Menopause-Specific Strategies: “For select patients, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may have cardiovascular benefits when initiated early in menopause, but this requires an individualized approach based on personal risk factors,” he explains.
Lifestyle Optimization: As we mentioned above, lifestyle changes are one of the most provocative changes you can make when tracking heart health.
“A Mediterranean-style diet rich in omega-3s, fiber and antioxidants supports vascular health, while strength training and cardiovascular exercise improve metabolic function and reduce inflammation,” Setareh says.
A device for tracking heart health will help monitor your readings, which enables you to know how you need to adjust your daily routines. Ahead, see eight cardiologist-approved devices that are reliable and user-friendly to help women track key metrics like heart rate, blood pressure and more.