Stay on top of your heart health with the help of these 6 monitoring tools
Try exercising regularly – the American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Sleep is important for heart health because it allows your heart to rest and recover. If you are having trouble sleeping, these items can help improve your sleep routine.
The best defense against heart disease is prevention. Understanding the signs of heart disease, the risk factors, and how to check your heart health at home is a significant first step in improving your heart health. You can take steps at home to monitor your heart health.
Here are six items that can help you keep track of your blood pressure, cholesterol and heart rate:
The 3D Tri-sport Walking 3D pedometer uses tri-accelerometer technology to measure steps accurately. This basic step counter is easy to set up and use and works in any position. You can wear it in your pocket, clip it to your waist, wear it around your neck on the included lanyard or even place it in your bag. It records steps (walking and running), distance, calories burned and exercise time. You can buy this pedometer in pink and on sale for $24.99 on Amazon.
Record how much physical activity you do and when you do strength exercises. This 12-week wellness journal from Papier is an excellent choice because it lets you track physical and mental health progress. Detailed daily pages include space for goals and intentions and space for tracking habits that contribute to a healthy lifestyle, like sleep and meals. This fitness log, $8.99 on Amazon, has space for 180 detailed entries.
Original price: $22.99
Use a heart rate monitor or check your pulse to see if your heart rate is regular. This pulse oximeter from Amazon clips onto your finger to track pulse rate and blood oxygen levels and conveniently displays the information on a large digital LED display. You can also easily monitor your heart rate while on the go with this Google Pixel watch, $100 from Walmart.
If you have diabetes, use a glucose meter to check your blood sugar levels. Contour Next One is a simple-to-use, budget-friendly meter that reads in five seconds. It also connects to an app to log and share readings with a doctor. The Metene TD-4116 Blood Glucose Monitor Kit, $34 on Amazon, is fast, easy to use and delivers accurate results according to reviews.
Use an over-the-counter kit to measure your cholesterol levels. The QuCare Complete is a home-based blood test kit that allows you to measure your total cholesterol level in your blood. The package contains enough materials to perform two separate tests. You can buy this at-home test from Amazon for $22.99.
For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/category/deals
Use a blood pressure monitor to track your blood pressure. The OMRON Platinum Blood Pressure Monitor stores up to 200 readings for two users, with 100 readings per user. This Braun ExactFit 3 automatic blood pressure monitor, $55 at Walmart, takes measurements from the upper arm.
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Cosmopolitan
16 minutes ago
- Cosmopolitan
The Oura Ring 4 Fixed My Sleep. Here's My Honest Review in 2025.
I love my Oura ring. Ask any of my friends and they'll tell you that it's become one of my main personality traits over the past year and a half, that if I had a cartoon character, she would have a gold ring on her pointer finger. I'm never seen without it (if I am, get ready to hear a panicked 'Wait… did I lose my Oura ring?' in three… two… one…) and the minimal weight slips below the level of consciousness so it's basically a part of me. In the time since I last updated my 2023 review of the Gen 3 Oura ring, the company released a brand new iteration, the Oura 4. Checks out, as they've historically released a new version every three years. And because of the aforementioned making-it-my-whole-personality thing, I knew I had to do a full test of the new version. After wearing it for six months, I'm ready to give you my full, in-depth, scientifically-proven (okay, I'm not a scientist, but there's lots of ~health data~) review—it's broken down into sections that are easy to scroll through in case you're looking for something specific, with tons of pics and anecdotes about what I loved and didn't love. Note: If you want a more in-depth walkthrough of how I picked out my ring and set it up, you can read the full breakdown in our Oura 3 review here. The fit metrics and process of ordering a size kit are both still the same, just make sure you're specifically ordering the Oura 4 size kit—either on their website or on Amazon! So, the Oura Ring is a health tracker. But what does it actually track? 'The Oura Ring boasts temperature sensors, a suite of LED lights to measure heart rate and blood oxygen, and an activity accelerometer to provide you with accurate insights to support your overall health,' says Jason Russell, Oura's Senior Director of Product. Once data is collected via the sensors, you're given three scores each day to help you interpret your stats at a glance: your Sleep Score, your Readiness Score, and your Activity Score. It's a number out of 100 that grades your sleep, your movement, and how prepared your body is to take on the day based on tons of data points from REM and deep sleep to heart rate variability and your body temperature while you're asleep. You also get a stress rating and resilience rating, and you can opt into Cycle Tracking as well. While the basic concept and experience you know and love is still the same, there are a handful of useful new features that the Oura team rolled out with the fourth-generation ring. And pssst: While the new hardware features are unique to the 4, the software and app updates will be available for anyone with any version of the Oura Ring! First up: Major redesign! The app used to have a fixed design but now, you'll see different stats and scores highlighted depending on what time of day you open up your app. Whatever is most helpful or notable will float up to the top throughout the day, whether it's an exceptional sleep score or an elevated body temperature. Huge news for anyone who doesn't want to get into the weeds of HRV charts and just wants to be given the most important highlights! Visually, the bumpy domes on the inside of the Gen 3 have been removed and replaced with flat sensors for a more comfortable wearing experience. This new ring also has smart sensing and increased accuracy, which didn't pick up on any life changing new data so it wasn't a huge, measurable impact on my life, but someone who tracks their heart rate or body temperature more closely will appreciate this. I also find that the battery lasts a lot longer, allowing me to go several days without charging rather than having to juice it up every other day. I was a perfect size 6 in the Gen 3, so I ordered the size 6 in the Gen 4, but that ended up being so loose that I was experiencing gaps in my data. I exchanged it for a size 5, which I wore on a smaller finger. A word to the wise: Because the Oura 4 has flat sensors on the inside instead of the Oura 3's raised sensors, it's going to be slightly looser even if you get the same size you had before. Don't assume you'll be the same size in the newer Gen 4! To avoid this, order a sizing kit beforehand. And if you have an older Oura ring that you're upgrading, transferring your data over is incredibly easy—just click on the battery signal in the top right corner of your app, hit 'Set up a new ring,' and follow the tutorial (it took me 30 seconds…max). The Oura Ring 4 will cost $349 for Silver or Black, $399 or Brushed Silver or Stealth, or $499 for Gold or Rose Gold. In addition to that, there's a $5.99 monthly subscription cost to use the app that displays and interprets all of your data. Would I say that's cheap? No. But the monthly subscription cost barely makes a dent compared to other health apps (WHOOP costs hundreds per year) so you're really just making a one time investment that you'll be able to wear for a couple years. I'm not proud of it, but I used to check Instagram and TikTok first thing in the morning. Like, as soon as I opened my eyes. I can't say I've fully kicked the phone habit, but I'm no longer going straight to brain rot the second I'm awake, because now I check my Oura app as soon as I wake up to get the full download on my sleep. When you wear the ring overnight, it collects data on when you fell asleep, what sleep stages you were in throughout the night, how your breathing, heart rate, and temperature changed through each phase, and how long you slept for. That's insanely valuable data, people, considering the fact that it's hard to monitor your own sleep while you're, well, asleep. Once you check your app in the morning, you'll receive a sleep score from 0-100 based on your numbers as well as whether your stats were higher, lower, or about on par with the usual. I found that I tended to average in the 80s, but it really depends on how stressed I am! Oh, and your Oura Ring will track naps, too. Whether it's an accidental 30 minute couch snooze or your attempt at falling asleep in your dinky economy seat that only lasts 15 minutes, your ring will pick up on that and adjust your daily sleep score accordingly. Ah, the elusive Readiness score. What does it actually mean to be ready? What is 75 points ready vs. 90 points ready? Do I have to cancel all of my plans if I wake up with a 56 as my readiness score?! All good questions. To put it simply, it's a rating of how ready your body is to take on the day based on how well you've been sleeping and how your resting heart rate has been trending recently. If you've been clocking under six hours a night with a heart rate that won't calm down (a symptom that usually correlates with drinking, by the way!) your readiness score might be lower than usual. This, paired with your Resilience level (which basically measures your current stress levels and how you're recovering from it), is a great indicator of how much your body is able to take on. But you don't have to be tied to it. Sometimes getting a great sweat in on a lower Readiness day helps me bounce back from it, whereas other times it's permission to skip that workout class and cancel your nighttime plans in order to get better recovery sleep. The Oura Ring is meant to make your life better—so think of a high Readiness score as an encouragement to try going the extra mile, and a low Readiness score as a reminder to be kind to yourself if things feel harder than usual. When I reviewed the Oura 3, the weakest point was probably the fact that the old software would think that certain activities (walking, emptying the dishwasher, going up the stairs) were other activities (boxing, swimming, sports). But I can confidently say that the activity tracking on the new ring and new software has improved. It correctly picked up on the fact that I was boxing, skiing, and kayaking without me needing to manually tag each activity, and it's nice to be able to see my route and cardio zones via the Oura app when I (very occasionally) go on a run through Central Park. In addition to activity detection and running features, the Oura Ring also tracks your steps and caloric expenditure, if you're into that kind of thing. I don't do a ton of cardio and I'm aware that as a New York City resident I clock plenty of steps per day, but it was nice to see the correlation between heavy activity days and how quickly I was able to fall asleep the following night. The Oura Ring may not be the most comprehensive training tracker on the market. It doesn't claim to be! It is, however, hands down the best middle-of-the-road option out there. It's chic, non-intimidating and accessible, it looks pretty on your hand, and it gives you comprehensive activity data with zero pressure to close activity rings (you know what I'm talking about) or stand up every 30 minutes. It's perfect for someone like me, who wants to remain active and have a general awareness of it—but not at the cost of my sanity or how cute my accessories are. I was confused about a lot of things during my teenage years, including my period, which was pretty high up on the blind-navigation list. Basically, it would come every 25-40 days, and it was a complete shock every time. But after learning how to track my cycle via body temperature over the past couple of years, I've gone from being like, 'My period is here AGAIN?!' to being like, 'Yeah I know I'm getting my period at some point today because my temperature dropped.' Confused? Basically, your body temperature typically sits below baseline during the follicular phase (the first part of the menstrual cycle), spikes right around ovulation, and then sits above baseline during the luteal phase (the part of the menstrual cycle right before you bleed) until the day of your period when your temperature drops noticeably. The Oura Ring 4 takes your temperature every day and charts it so you can keep track of where you're at in your monthly cycle, which is, uh, SO much better than going into it blindly and then being stuck without a tampon in a public restroom while wearing white jeans. Just me? This temperature data can also be used to estimate fertile days if you're trying to conceive or trying to avoid getting pregnant without being on hormonal birth control. I didn't find Oura's in-app ovulation and period prediction dates to be super accurate, if I'm being honest, but you can sign up for the Natural Cycles app (an FDA-cleared form of non-hormonal birth control) which integrates seamlessly with the Oura app. I found the Natural Cycles predictions to be much more accurate and consistent, and it's $119.99 per year, which comes out to just $9.99 a month. The most important part of the entire review, if you ask me. I've tried so many different stacks, some out of necessity (because my ring is a little loose on certain fingers) and some for style purposes. My favorite compliment is 'Omg I didn't even notice you were wearing a health tracker, it blends right in with the rest of your jewelry!'. Here are some of the stacking rings I've invested in… The complimentary rings I reach for the most often are these two Pavoi bands that went semi-viral on TikTok for being under $20 each. Tons of people started wearing these bands above and below their Oura ring for a shockingly luxe look—and yes, I can confirm that it's a totally seamless stack. Alternatively, I love wearing my Oura ring with a solitaire crystal ring—my go-to is from Uno de 50 and currently sold out, but below are some alternatives as well as rings I tend to wear on other fingers! And lastly, I've found it really helpful to wear a thin chain around my neck for periods where I need to take my ring off but want to make sure I don't lose it, like when I'm getting a manicure or when I'm lifting weights and don't want the bar to scratch up the metal. Okay, that was a lot of information! After testing out the Oura Ring 4 for six months I can confidently say that I'm a huge fan and love the product even more than I did before, but if you're still trying to digest all of that before making your decision, let's break it down into a simple pros and cons list... Hannah Oh is a self-proclaimed nerd for biometrics and sleep optimization. Along with writing about the best sales and deals to spend your hard-earned money on, she has tested a variety of sleep-tracking devices and wearables on her quest to create the perfect bedroom sanctuary in the middle of noisy New York City. She is never seen without her Oura ring and has been known to tell strangers on the street why they should buy one, too. Hannah is the Shopping Editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from chic home decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend's mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and pictures of her office outfits that nobody asked for.
CNET
an hour ago
- CNET
We're Surviving This Summer's Heat Wave With These Must-Have Cooling Products
Hot weather is here, and this week's heat wave has been stifling. It's important to stay safe when having fun in the sun this summer. So, if you plan to spend time outside, be sure you're prepared with the essentials to keep cool. Here are 10 items you can use to survive this year's heat waves and summer highs. 1. Cooling towels A handheld towel is excellent for drying off after exercising, playing sports or doing hard work under the sun. A cooling towel is a step above. Just get these towels wet with cold water and wring out the extra water. Then, wrap the cooling towel around your neck or dab your face; it should stay cool for up to 2 hours. When it starts to warm up again, just add more water and repeat the process. These towels are great for a hot, summertime walk, relaxing at the beach or a long hike up the mountains. Mission Mission Cool Anywhere Towels These reusable, two-pack microfiber towels come in two different colors. They also offer UPF 50 sun protection. $20 at Amazon 2. Electrolyte powder When you spend lots of time in the heat, your body actively loses water and electrolytes -- minerals found in the body that have a charge -- through sweat. It's important to replace that lost water and electrolytes with fluids. If you struggle to drink eight cups of water a day in the summer (and sometimes you need more if you're extremely active in the heat), an electrolyte drink can help replenish your body. The best electrolyte powders usually contain sodium, calcium, potassium, phosphate, chloride or magnesium. Electrolytes such as these can balance your body's water and pH levels, move nutrients throughout your cells, carry out waste from your cells, and ensure all muscles, bodily functions and nerves are working correctly. Amazon/Screenshot by CNET Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Liquid I.V. powder provides two times faster hydration than water alone. It includes five vitamins and and many electrolytes. One bag of Liquid I.V. includes 16 on-the-go packets. Add one packet to 16 ounces of water and stir. $23 at Amazon 3. Reusable water bottle Rule No. 1 for surviving the heat: drink lots of water. Whether this is water or an electrolyte drink, hydration in the summer is key. You don't want to become dehydrated. Dehydration symptoms include tired, dark yellow urine, sunken eyes, headache and lightheadedness. I find that I drink the most water when I carry a water bottle around with me. I also drink more water when it stays ice cold throughout the day. An insulated stainless steel water bottle will do just that. Amazon/Screenshot by CNET Hydro Flask Choose between an 18-, 21- or 24-ounce Hydro Flask. Made with Pro-Made stainless steel, this water bottle is non-free, BPA-free and keeps water cold for up to 24 hours. $32 at Amazon 4. Portable fan A portable fan is handy when you miss the indoors or are dealing with broken AC. Cool down while walking, traveling or doing anything in the sun. It can even be useful for summer camping or hanging at the beach. Look for a portable fan that is easily rechargeable. Some fans can even mist your face. Amazon/Screenshot by CNET JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan This chargeable, handheld fan is also a flashlight and a portable charger. Speed one can last up to 21 hours between charging and speed two can last up to 14 hours. $18 at Amazon 5. Sunscreen If you want to beat the heat, you first need to make sure your skin is protected. Wearing sunscreen should always be a priority if you're doing anything outside this summer. In addition to wearing sunglasses, a hat or UV protective clothing, sunscreen provides a shield to your delicate skin. Sunscreen provides protection from sun cancer, signs of sun damage and premature aging. You can try chemical, mineral or combo sunscreen. If you want a sunscreen that won't leave a white cast, look for a product with a light serum. If you have acne-prone skin, use a sensitive mineral or combo sunscreen. Amazon/Screenshot by CNET Neutrogena Mineral UltraSheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Neutrogena Mineral UltraSheer Dry-Touch is lightweight, clean and contains SPF 30. It is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. $9 at Amazon 6. Countertop ice machine There is nothing better than an ice-cold drink on a hot day. A countertop ice machine can bring the ice directly to you. You can add ice to your water or store beverages and take them with you; a countertop ice machine can be transported from one place to another. Take it camping orbring it to an outdoor party. You can have cold ice handy as long as you have access to an outlet. Amazon/Screenshot by CNET Igloo Portable Electric Countertop Ice Maker This Igloo ice maker can make ice in two different sizes. Just add water, select your ice size and ice will be ready in 7 minutes. There are multiple self-cleaning settings. $95 at Amazon 7. Cooling pillow When sleeping cool, using a fan, AC or light pajamas might be your go-to solution. However, changing your bedding is another easy fix. A cooling pillow is designed not to retain any body heat and to provide as much breathability as possible. Some cooling pillows even have a cool-to-the-touch cover. Pillows made of materials such as non-perforated and non-gel memory foam trap heat and will only make you hotter at night. Look for cooling pillows made of latex, foam, silk, cotton or bamboo. Note that the pillowcase you use may affect the cooling sensation of any pillow. I recommend looking for a silk, satin or light cotton pillowcase to accompany your cooling pillow. 8. Neck fan Why hold a fan in front of your face when one can sit on your neck? If you're working outside or have your hands full, a neck fan is practical. Shaped like headphones, neck fans wrap around the neck and both sides blow up toward the sides of your face and back of your neck. It's perfect for sitting inside without AC or working under the sun. Amazon/Screenshot by CNET ASNUG Neck Fan The ASNUG Neck Fan is blade-less, meaning that it won't snag hair, fingers or clothing. It has three settings and is rechargable via USB. $27 at Amazon 9. Cooling sheets Similar to cooling pillows, cooling sheets can help dissipate your body heat. Cooling sheets are never made with materials like flannel or heavy cotton that trap heat. The best sheets for the summer will be made with bamboo, cotton, silk, Tencel, linen, polyester, microfiber or lyocell. For optimal summer bedding, switch to cooling sheets, a cooling comforter, a cooling pillowcase and a cooling pillow. Amazon/Screenshot by CNET Sheets & Giggles Sheet Set These temperture-balancing, lyocell sheets come in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King and Split King sizes. Each set includes one flat sheet, one fitted sheet and two pillowcases. $190 at Amazon 10. Cold facial mask A fun way to cool down is to use a cold facial mask. While I don't recommend wearing this outside, a cold compress can help calm hot, sweaty skin and bring down your internal temperature after being outside in the sun. Similar to cold rollers or certain eye creams, a cold face mask can even help depuff eyes. And if you are prone to migraines, a cold facial mask can aid a pounding headache.
Associated Press
4 hours ago
- Associated Press
Startups chosen to drive technology-driven improvements in women s heart and brain health
( NewMediaWire ) - July 22, 2025 - DALLAS — In a collaboration between American Heart Association Ventures(TM) and the Association's Center for Health Technology and Innovation, eight companies have been selected to participate in the American Heart Association Heart and Brain Health Accelerator. Through the Accelerator, the American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health for all, aims to drive innovation with the potential to enhance patient outcomes, lower costs and reduce barriers to care. This is one of many ways the Association is exploring cutting-edge technology solutions that are scalable, accessible and effective, ensuring that everyone, everywhere can live longer, healthier lives. 'Innovation is essential to advancing health and improving outcomes for people affected by heart disease and stroke,' said Lisa Suennen, managing partner of American Heart Association Ventures. 'Through the Heart and Brain Health Accelerator, we're proud to support breakthrough technologies with the potential to transform care. By connecting these companies to mentorship, funding and our network of experts, we aim to accelerate their path from promising concept to lifesaving impact.' The Heart Association's Heart and Brain Health Accelerator is one track within the larger MedTech Innovator Accelerator Program. The track is designed to identify and support companies with novel medical or digital health technologies aligned with the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association. These eight finalists have specific solutions and applications identified by experts for their potential to positively impact women's cardiovascular and brain health outcomes: The selected health tech companies now also become official members of the Medtech Innovator program for this year, which includes access to networking opportunities, funding and increased visibility within the medical technology industry. In addition, they will receive specialized mentorship, coaching and capacity building from American Heart Association Ventures, customized to their focus on cardiovascular and/or brain conditions and diseases. As participants in the Heart and Brain Health Accelerator, these companies qualify to participate in the MedTech Innovator Competition Finals, held at the MedTech Conference on October 5-8, 2025, in San Diego. Astellas Rx+ sponsors the American Heart Association Heart and Brain Heath Accelerator track. The companies were selected by expert volunteers on an American Heart Association advisory committee, including: Additional Resources: ### About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173 Michelle Rosenfeld: [email protected] For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) and
