Fitbits and other wearables may not accurately track heart rates in people of color
Many popular wearable heart rate trackers rely on technology that could be less accurate for consumers who have darker skin, researchers, engineers and other experts told STAT.
An estimated 40 million people in the US alone have smartwatches or fitness trackers that can monitor heartbeats. However, some people of colour may be at risk of getting inaccurate readings. Heart rate trackers rely on technology that is designed for and tested on lighter-skinned individuals, meaning that the technology could be less reliable for consumers with darker skins.
