Measuring heart rate

Heart rate is the number of heartbeats per minute. Aidlab measures it from ECG on the chest, which gives a more stable signal than wrist-based optical sensors, especially during movement.

Depending on the situation, heart rate can show how hard you’re working, how well you recover, or whether your body is under stress.

How Aidlab measures heart rate

Aidlab records ECG and calculates heart rate from the timing between beats.

To get a reliable reading:

1. Wear Aidlab correctly on your chest
2. Make sure the electrodes have good skin contact
3. Stay still for a resting reading or keep it connected during activity
4. Open the app to see current values and trends

Resting heart rate

Resting heart rate (RHR) is your heart rate when your body is calm. The best real-world reading is usually right after waking up, before getting out of bed.

In Aidlab, RHR is calculated from a quiet period, not a single lowest value:

• only when activity is still
• over a 1-hour window
• with at least 30 samples
• using the 10th percentile instead of the raw minimum

If you move for more than 5 minutes, the window resets and starts again once you’re still.

This approach avoids single spikes and gives a more stable baseline.

How to interpret it

• higher heart rate during exercise = higher intensity
• lower heart rate at the same pace = better fitness or recovery
• higher resting heart rate than usual = possible fatigue, stress, dehydration, or illness

Always compare against your own baseline, not others.

Related in Aidlab

• Heart rate zones
• Measuring Heart Rate Variability
• Sleep monitoring
• Configure Your Personal Health Dashboard
• Exporting readings

Important

Aidlab is not a medical device. Heart rate data is informational and should not replace medical advice.