Smartwatchs use photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors to measure heart rate by shining light onto the skin and detecting changes in light absorption caused by blood flow. These signals are then processed by algorithms to display your heart rate. In contrast, contactless ECG-based systems evaluate electrical signals from the heart. Which method do you find more reliable?
How do smartwatches measure heart rate?
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One time, I was sleeping with my Xiaomi band on when I felt a strange rhythm in my heart. When I woke up in the morning, the watch sent me a "high heart rate" alert. Actually, I had just had an intense dream, but when I showed the data to my doctor, I realized I had no issues. Now I trust PPG sensor watches, I keep wearing them and feel at ease until the measurements return to normal.
Thanks for the explanation! So, do watches with PPG sensors provide reliable results during exercise as well?