Why should i measure my resting heart rate?
Camera Heart Rate uses your phone camera to measure your heart rate. Measuring your heart rate first thing in the morning, you can obtain useful insights on your health and fitness
For example, your resting heart rate will reduce with increased fitness over periods of weeks or months. On the other hand, your resting heart rate can be a bit higher on a day to day basis if you are more stressed or getting sick.
A simple measurement of your resting heart rate can help you better understand how you are responding to various stressors, so that you can potentially adjust your lifestyle accordingly
For example, your resting heart rate will reduce with increased fitness over periods of weeks or months. On the other hand, your resting heart rate can be a bit higher on a day to day basis if you are more stressed or getting sick.
A simple measurement of your resting heart rate can help you better understand how you are responding to various stressors, so that you can potentially adjust your lifestyle accordingly
Which phones are supported?
Camera Heart Rate is supported in all iPhones from the 4S onward. The app does not work on iPad since the flash cannot be turned on automatically
WHAT IS RESTING HEART RATE?
Your resting heart rate is your heart rate measured first thing in the morning, before you start your day, have breakfast and so on. Measuring at this time provides you insights on your health and fitness, without confounding factors that can alter your heart rate, for example exercise, food intake, etc.
WHEN SHOULD I MEASURE?
To better understand how your resting heart rate changes over time and in response to different stressors, try to measure always at the same time, first thing in the morning while lying down in bed
In particular, when you wake up, try to relax for a few seconds, place your finger in front of the camera, covering also the flash, and tap Measure. Then relax and breathe at your own pace, for a minute
In particular, when you wake up, try to relax for a few seconds, place your finger in front of the camera, covering also the flash, and tap Measure. Then relax and breathe at your own pace, for a minute
HOW SHOULD I MEASURE?
Gently place your finger on top of the camera. Try to cover both the camera and the flash, but most importantly the camera. You need to cover it all. Then wait a few seconds, Camera Heart Rate will automatically determine signal quality and start the test. Signal quality is shown to you around the camera view, color-coded. At this point simply relax and breathe at your natural breathing rate for one minute
HOW DOES CAMERA HEART RATE WORK?
Camera Heart Rate uses a technique called photoplethysmography (PPG for short), which consists in detecting changes in blood volume during a cardiac cycle, by illuminating the skin and measuring changes in light absorption. PPG has become quite a popular non-invasive method for extracting physiological measurements such as heart rate
How accurate is the camera-based measurement?
Camera Heart Rate is powered by HRV4Training, the first validated camera-based heart rate variability (HRV) app. You can find our validated paper here and learn more about HRV in The Ultimate Guide to Heart Rate Variability
Who owns the data?
You own the data. Camera Heart Rate does not have a backend server and does not share your data with anyone. Your data is stored only locally, and you can decide to send it to the Health app in case you'd like to keep your data in a centralized place or share it with other apps. More information is available in our privacy policy
HOW CAN I EXPORT MY DATA?
Your data can be exported via email, Dropbox or iTunes