Elderly people and emergency service workers may be two groups of people to benefit from a new heart rate monitor device, Scotland on Sunday reported.

According to the news source, the BT2 device - which was developed in the US and is set to make its UK debut shortly - is capable of measuring body temperature, heartbeat, the amount the wearer is sweating and how much movement the body is making.

Using a Bluetooth wireless connection, the heart rate monitor - which is estimated to be around the same size as a wristwatch - can send information to a computer, which can be used by a carer to monitor for any changes.

According to Runner"s World magazine, heart rate monitors can be used by exercisers in a number of ways to ensure they are not working too hard or alert them if they are not working hard enough.

Sean Fishpool of the magazine claimed that people embarking on a new fitness programme such as walking or running on a treadmill should first establish their maximum heart rate and use a heart rate monitor to track their progress.

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