H2O Overload app

The app enables you to keep track of your daily fluid intake, weight and blood pressure. It allows you to set limits for these measurements and alerts you if your blood pressure or weight reaches a level that means you need to tell your healthcare provider. The app has provision for you to add doctors' appointments to a diary, create medication lists and store questions for your healthcare provider. It also has information about heart disease, kidney disease, low sodium levels and dietary tips.

For the complete app description, go to iTunes(external link) (Apple) and, for a detailed review, see reviews below.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Angela Lambie, Pharmacist, Waitemata District Health Board
Date of review: April 2020
Version: 1.0.2
Platform: Apple
Comments: The app is useful for people who are monitoring their fluid intake and need to keep track of their fluids, blood pressure and weight. The user manually inputs daily data which is presented graphically and can be sent to others such as healthcare providers. The user can set targets which will alert the user if their weight, fluids or blood pressure are out of target range. Users can also include doctors' appointments and create a list of their medicines and questions to ask their healthcare provider. There is a good glossary and educational material about heart failure, kidney failure and other related conditions. 
Safety concerns: Default settings are American measurement units such as pounds and ounces, although you can convert to kg and mL – each time you open the app it defaults back to pounds and ounces. The default to pounds and ounces may be confusing for some users.
New Zealand relevance: Default settings are American units, and foods described are American-style foods. 

Clinical review

Reviewer: Luke Foster, Doctor, Waikato District Health Board
Date of review: January 2017   
Comments: The app is most suitable for people with chronic kidney disease and/or heart failure who are looking for support monitoring their salt and fluid intake. Users can log their water intake, weight and blood pressure against the targets they set with their health professional. It contains educational material for users to learn about their diagnosis and the importance of salt and fluid management. These functions may assist users aiming to improve their self-management.
Safety concerns: None
New Zealand relevance: There are no links to New Zealand based support groups or charities. Default settings are American measurement units such as pounds and ounces, but do make allowances for conversion to kg and mL – the difference in units can be confusing to New Zealand users.