It’s difficult to keep up the App Store these days as there are just so many cool apps to talk about. However, this one demanded some attention. It’s a heart rate monitor and it uses the iPhone’s built-in microphone to detect your heart beat.
This is one of those cases where something so simple is really pretty smart. All you have to do is hold your iPhone to your chest or under your jaw with the headphone microphone. The iPhone app then “listens” to your heartbeat and takes a measurement of it.
This is a great idea for those that have a goal heart rate or wish to keep track of it while on the go. This is also a good thing to have for pregnant women, who need to keep their heart rate under a certain level when exercising.
[via Ubergizmo]
As a medical prof. I find it disturbing that an app directs users to press against their carotid artery as illustrated in the first image with the man pressing under his jaw.
It is in no way a good idea to ever apply pressure to this area for any amount of time.
Just think about it, have you every had your GP measure your heart rate on any part other than your wrist?
Pressing against your carotid artery blocks the blood flow to your brain which can cause you to black out or worse!