Fibricheck is a Fitbit App born in 2016 that measures heart activity through a photoplethysmography process, using the smartphone camera: recently, however, the service is also compatible with Fitbit smartwatches and it is precisely with a Versa 2 that the we tried, let's see how it went.
FibriCheck, the review
First step, understand everything
Before talking about the new App on the Versa, it is better to take a step back and understand what we had in hand (or on our wrist): FibriCheck is a separate App available for iPhone or Android, but has also been present in the App Store for a few days. by Fitbit for Fitbit Versa, Fitbit Versa Lite Edition, Fitbit Versa 2 and Fitbit Ionic models.
The report in PDF, generated by the App and then brought to Mac for a more painstaking consultation. But in any case, once the PDF is generated, the iPhone can share it using the preferred service, from WhatsApp to Telegram, via an email box or via the cloud
And it is precisely with the Fitbit Versa 2 that we carried out this test: we first downloaded the FibriCheck App from the App Store and created the account. Then, from within the Fitbit App, we downloaded the App on the Versa 2 and activated an account for a week.
The process requires a few minutes and an internet connection (via 4G is fine, there are few data that are consumed) and readers can still activate the free trial to try it for themselves, after which it will be possible to use the service with a cost € 3.99 per month, regardless of the smartwatch or App.
Your reviewer is fine, fear not, it's nice to hear that
The animal beat
Borrowed from the famous RAF song of the nineties, the detection of the beat via the Versa is really simple: the App recommends paying more attention to the position of the smartwatch, which is slightly more tight than normal (to maximize listening to the beat) and placed two fingers from the beginning of the hand.
Immediately afterwards just follow the instructions on the display, which basically ask you to stay still, really still, avoiding speaking and breathing normally, for 60 seconds to improve a measurement that is much more accurate than the normal ones of Versa.
During the measurement some warnings pass on the Versa screen, for example on the fact that Fibricheck does not measure the presence of heart attacks: at the end the App asks what was the last activity performed and provides the report, which the system sends to the 'App and website.
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The results
The result is incredibly detailed, much more than the Fitbit App which, at this point, appears much more basic. Although it is not a certified medical device, especially since the measurement takes place at the wrist and not directly near the heart, the system is really well done.
The results are based on the native Fibricheck App, which provides a graph of both the trend of all the measurements (the system suggests making a couple of them a day) and an in-depth analysis of the single measurement, with a first elementary diagnosis given by the surveys crossed with physical data, and a detailed report in PDF, which can be sent to your doctor or printed and shown at the first available visit.
Clearly Fibricheck does not replace the general practitioner or cardiologist, for those who may suffer from inherent problems, but it can provide a valid help to show a daily average or a trend over time, with interesting data for a certified expert.
Some screenshots of the Fibricheck App on iPhone
Is it worth it?
Difficult to say: according to the writer, the price is not low or even high, if those who buy a Versa smartwatch do it above all for heart rate detection.
Maybe a sportsman has better tools, but let's think of people of a certain age, to whom teaching to detect the heartbeat is not difficult (the operation is really simple) perhaps helped by a silent alarm, or for those who suffer from diseases related to the heart and needs closer monitoring.
The web part is freely available from the browser
Versa or Ionic alone are convenient, as they automatically provide basic stats and heart rate measurement at rest or at certain times, however the detail is not even comparable.
Finally, the presence of the Fitbit smartwatch compared to the use with the phone lens, on balance, did not show great discrepancies, but it is undeniable that via smartwatch it is more comfortable and more independent (but the Fitbit App must be kept open, also in the background).
An extra service for those who have a Fitbit smartwatch (smartbands such as Inspire, Charge are excluded), not at all mandatory but useful and interesting. Users evaluate for themselves the convenience for the subscription or not (3.99 Euro per month), even if we all suggest the trial of the first day, free of charge.
Many will consider it useless, but the assistance section, with several video tutorials on the various functions, becomes key for those not accustomed to technology
Pros:
• Interesting and detailed service • One more step for those who use Fitbit • The PDF report is a great convenience
Cons:
• Fitbit App must be open
Price:
• 3.99 Euros per month for the service • 119.99 Euros for Fitbit Versa • 199.99 Euros for Fitbit Versa 2 • 189.99 Euros for Fitbit Ionic
Fitbit Versa 2 is already available through the official Fitbit website in five colors for the normal edition at 199.99 euros and in two for the Special Edition at 229.99 euros (with fabric strap).
Fitbit Versa 2 is also available on Amazon.it with exclusive sets (in addition to all the normal equipment). The Versa model remains on the list, without Alexa and with a few less functions, but with a very similar design at an even more competitive price.
