Cardiio: Heart Rate Monitor Reviews

by Lowthers8

Beware - Cardiio simply doesn’t work with the flagship Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max. The problem seems to be the three cameras built into the iPhone 11 Pro Max. I contacted the help desk who in turn simply replied that I should read the directions. Either the help desk people don’t realize their own app directions are no longer up to date for current versions of iPhone, or I hope I’m wrong but perhaps they simply don’t care about customers of Cardiio any longer. Cardiio directions only refer to iPhones with a single camera. If it was just experimenting with placing my finger over one of the three cameras of the iPhone 11 Pro Max, or some combination of cameras, I wouldn’t have had to see if the help desk could actually “help” a customer.
If you’re using most any version of iPhone less than the iPhone 11 Pro Max, Cardiio is fantastic and works well.
I hope the developer decides to update Cardiio for Apple’s flagship iPhone.
I also hope the help desk procedures get updated to provide actual help to customers.

by Qwertyuuoplkjhgfds

If you want to measure your resting heart rate, this is a decent option, I found it works most of the time. However, it is totally unreliable in measuring heart rate after activity. I tried over 20 times to measure my heart rate after a run, and i was standing so still that my heart rate was shaking my body. Cardiio starts to measure it and creates the beginning of a waveform but before a number is displayed it quits the process and you have to start over. My heart rate was 192 by the time Cardiio actually measured it because I had to sprint for so long until I could get a reading. So just get a heart rate moniter from target or something if you want to get readings while exercising or after exercising.

by Steph0468

I paid for the waveform measurement thinking it would give a little more detail about what is seen in the heart rate, like maybe a missing p wave, or too long a length between certain parts of the waveform...you know, length of time to the T wave or whatever. I didn’t expect the only information shown after 7.99 (a lot by app standards) to only say: -.2 sec. <—-that’s it. That’s what you get for 7.99. Okay? How is that even remotely worth any money at all and how does that help me? I downloaded Cardiio and would pay 50 bucks if it helped me figure out why I get breathless for no reason after never smoking and while just sitting. People downloading heart rate apps have heart rate questions. I don’t expect it to be a doctor in an app. But I do expect 7.99 to measure something resembling anything. I feel betrayed. I feel stupid for parting with that much money. I made an assumption that 7.99 meant the waveform was analyzed. It’s not.

by William Baggins

I’ve been using the free version of Cardiio for a few months now. Some days it just doesn’t work. Post workout measurements require multiple attempts but by then my heart rate reduced so much it is not a meaningful measurement. I like it when it works.

I decided to reread the reviews. I noticed the developer responded to zero of the reviews that contained any negative feedback nor responded to any that I looked at period. My conclusion is the developer put it together and is willing to take whatever money comes in with no additional effort on his or her part to improve user satisfaction. I’ll keep my money.

by Chenanagan

Inaccurate lately. Highs and lows showed and now they don’t. I reported the issue months ago and have screenshots to prove it. I haven’t used in since until today. Only 1 of the 6 tests (I took face and finger) accurately showed actual real high and real low I saw on the screen. And recorded it. I add notes to the real high and low in the notes section and told them about it months ago. They haven’t fixed it. It worked great before that. Fix it and make it work properly again and the rating will increase. For now it hasn’t and I’ve reported this issue before.

by Charliec75

Generally good. The sensor part of Cardiio 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.

by VOL DAN

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 Cardiio 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.

by BartonAve

The waveform feature is the best I’ve found on the market so far. The ability to add notes and connect with Apple Health help to keep a journal of overall health status and potential issues. HOWEVER, the latest update caused a glitch that makes the notes entry essentially invisible font. Without being able to notate what was happening at the time the waveform was captured, the data becomes exponentially less useful. I’ve contacted support at least half a fixed times with no response and no resolution.

This glitch seriously devalues the product. Anyone considering another, might want to shop around first.

by DW In Virginia

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.

by Calincostian

Great app for medium-intensity workouts (which is a relative term, as with most things). The pulse taking capability is a joke - works about 5% of the time no matter how well you try to follow their directions. I also find it cute how they say this is a 7 minute workout when it actually lasts 8 minutes, whoever added the durations of the sets and pauses must have skipped arithmetic class and was too bored to actually time it with a stopwatch. These are minor things though (don’t care much about the pulse rate) and they don’t detract from the usefulness of Cardiio , the smartly designed and well thought-out workout, and the convenience it gives you to do it anytime, anywhere. I enjoy it every time I use it - kudos to the developers.

by Asdfghjklqwertyuiopzxcvbnm1

Of which I am both. All jokes aside however, though it doesn't rule anything out it is infinitely more cheap than running out and buying a pulse oximeter. Before I got my 3 lead heart monitor I used this all the time to record how fast my heart was going during episodes of tachycardia. Even if you're just using this when you're exercising, it's good to keep an eye on that stuff.

by Mawdine

I put Cardiio on my phone several years ago, and used it regularly, and when my AFib got better, I didn’t use it much. Then my heart went completely out of rhythm, and for a couple of months, I wore a monitor, had an ablation, and finally have it back in some semblance working order. I rely on this app every day, several times a day just for a quick heart rate. I did not pay any extra, just have the free version and that is more than enough to keep my mind at ease. This is a great app, especially for my new iPhone SE, with just the simple camera. I keep an image of my reading, and have a folder of my daily readings! Thanks, this app!!

by Johnny74325

Cardiio seems to be very accurate when compared to some of the others out there. I took it to the gym and compared it to a few different machines and it was accurate. I also took it to my drs office and compared to their equipment and it was very accurate there also. Only issue I may have is having trouble getting a reading of my hand is cold or if I move too much but that is normal and understandable

by Latenightonline

I have been using this app almost daily since the afternoon a few years ago when my son put it on my iPhone because I was worried about what was going on with my heart. It says it’s not to be used for medical purposes, but, when my doctor and I checked it’s accuracy with his own device, we got the same result on both. In his words, “It’s surprisingly accurate.” I highly recommend the this app app.

by JDATL

Cardio is handy, available whenever you’re carrying your phone, which for many of us, is pretty much always. Readings are quick, about 15 seconds, just hit start and put finger gently over camera lens (or use face function). Accuracy is impressive. I was recently in the hospital for heart surgery and have had several follow-ups with surgeon and cardiologist. Readings from Cardio consistently track hospital and doctor readings pretty much perfectly, even when heart is somewhat irregular.

Cardio has a legal disclaimer on the accuracy of the waveform, but I’ve found that to be as accurate as the pulse readings.

Cardio provides helpful views for history and "insights” as well as suggested 7-min cardio workouts.

Cardio will hold 30 days of data on your phone. To keep longer histories, data can be exported as a csv file and saved.

by Owl3369

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.

by Natalied7777

App appears to be accurate most of the time. Great for keeping track of progress. I have anxiety so I like to check while coming down from an anxiety attack so I know where I am. It's too bad their isn't another option other than rest and active. Technically while having anxiety you wouldn't want to categorize as rest but you also couldn't categorize as active. It would be nice if there was another category so my checks during anxiety won't be grouped toward the average for resting heart rate.

by Scissortail76

This was the only app in the list that I came across that didn’t have ugly invasive ads and/or check for Bluetooth a million times. And someone actually seems to have proof read the text. Has good features that make the free version useful without requiring payment but then offers a good selection of upgrades that are useful without nagging you to pay every five seconds. There are volumes of disclaimers that you have to agree to, but that’s understandable for anything health related these days.

by DelbySue Pie

I really like Cardiio. It’s a tool I can use as often as I want in a day to keep tabs on my heart rate. I downloaded Cardiio 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 Cardiio 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!

by IGreed!

Always worked perfectly but I just got the new iPhone 11 Pro which has three cameras. The camera that Cardiio uses is the bottom right camera but the flash it at the top left. Considering how the technology works this means that you cannot get a reading anymore as the light does not enter your finger.
The camera that is used needs to be swapped within the software of Cardiio , else it’s not possible anymore to get a reading - it just gives a poor signal quality error message each time. :(
Please fix!
Thanks

by Teehip

I initially loved Cardiio, but a few versions ago I’ve come to hate it. I’m using on an iPhone 8 with latest IOS. Also was used in my 6. Cardiio doesn’t work right when there’s even the slightest bit of movement— like right after you finish a hard run. That’s when you want to capture your max heart rate. App keeps saying “poor signal quality”. I’ve tried pressing both hard and soft on the camera. By time Cardiio can record my rate, it’s way down from my max. Cardiio also doesn’t work in the cold. So winter exercise is out. I would never pay $10 for an app that doesn’t work.

by Highfin

My favorite app, gives me the incentive to exercise when I don't go to the gym. Always good to know your heart Health in comparison to every one else in your age group. The slower your heart the stronger it is. Unless you're suffering from heart failure. Going with the this app part of Cardiio , I do feel better the rest of the day, I give this a five star rating for sure.‼️PS-your heart is a muscle if you don't use it it will become weaker!

by RacerSnake

I've been using Cardiio a lot lately. I just had heart surgery, and compared it to the hospital ICU instruments and it was dead on. Now I pay more attention to my heart rate, especially if I feel funny at all. Totally recommend this.
I use this A number of times during the week. A few times I had some funny feelings in my heart and it kind of confirmed it and so therefore I was more conscious of what was going on

by Jeremy6pt0

Cardiio is a Great heart rate monitor and reader it is accurate and does a number of different other functions- I'd recommend it for heart rate testing; it says not for medical but that's OK because you can always check your heart rate by touching the right side of your neck and counting the beats for 30 seconds and then you times that the number by two. Auto-written but correct ⬆️ 🙂