Today’s stressful and busy lifestyle has prompted many people to adopt healthy habits. Besides conventional interventions like diet, exercise, and sleep, several people are now investing in heart-monitoring smartwatches. In fact, according to a study, among adults with heart problems who use wearables, 38% regularly wear such heart-monitoring devices, compared to almost 50% of other adults.

However, can a smartwatch detect heart problems? Is it worth using a wearable for heart health?

In this blog, we’ll explore the various nuances of smartwatches, with a specific focus on heart monitoring and whether smartwatches can detect heart problems.

Understanding the Importance of Tracking Your Heart Health

Heart health is essential for an individual’s overall well-being. The heart is a vital organ that circulates blood, which carries nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. Regularly checking heart health parameters, such as heart rate, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and other vital signs, enables individuals to identify potential heart conditions early and take corrective actions to improve their heart health.

According to Dr Dinesh Mittal, a leading Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon, “Heart monitoring wearables like smartwatches can truly empower people in diagnosis, self-monitoring, and behavioural changes.”

Today, wearables like smartwatches can monitor your heart health, location, schedule, and activities. Although most smartwatches can track heart rates, innovative smartwatch technology today comes with blood pressure monitoring and an in-built ECG.

Such cutting-edge tech wearables have led to an increasing number of people investing in smart watches.

How do smartwatches monitor heart health?

Smartwatches are fitness wearables that rely on PPG, or photoplethysmography technology. This smartwatch’s heart monitoring technology uses focused green LED lights on the skin of the wrist. The blood absorbs the green light and, consequently, reflects red light—the changes in the blood volume that flow through the wrist capillaries. The watch directly reflects any fluctuations in your heartbeats. Any changes in the heartbeat cause variations in the amount of light reflected or absorbed.

Sensors in proximity to LEDs detect even minor variations, and consequently, algorithms translate such patterns as heart rate. Things like smartwatches measure the number of heartbeats per minute, which is your pulse rate or heart rate. Other innovations in similar technology also measure blood pressure.

There is the same amount of time gap between consecutive heartbeats for a regularly rhythmic heartbeat. However, in heart anomalies like atrial fibrillation, the heart rhythm is more irregular. Since this condition can cause life-threatening blood clots, it’s imperative to know how often the heart goes into this rhythm. Some smartwatches have specialised algorithms that employ PPG light technology to gauge atrial fibrillation.

How Does an ECG on Your Wrist Work?

Sophisticated and advanced smartwatches have electrodes that can take an electrocardiogram (ECG) reading, similar to those in a doctor’s office. For a smartwatch ECG reading, users generally rest their fingers on the bezel or digital surface of the smartwatch to form a closed circuit loop. The watch, in turn, measures the minute electrical signals relayed by the heart contractions. This way, not just the rate but also the rhythm of the heartbeat can be measured. Such technology is helpful in detecting irregular heartbeat patterns of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) linked to an increased risk of stroke.

However, users should be aware that the smartwatch ECG’s accuracy may not be precise but falls within the 90% to 95% accuracy range in detecting irregular heartbeat patterns or Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). Hence, a 12-lead ECG is more useful for an accurate and comprehensive diagnosis.

Can a Smartwatch Detect Heart Problems?

Currently, the available smartwatch technology gives limited information about heart health. Smartwatch capability is related to the type of smartwatch you are wearing. The kind of data pertaining to your heart health that a smartwatch can provide includes:

• Detecting Heart Rate: Smartwatches can primarily calculate heart rates between 30 and 210 beats every minute. They can also measure variability in heart rates and send alerts for unusually high or low heartbeats.
• AFib Detection: The FDA has established guidelines stating that this is the only heart issue some smartwatches can detect. Such smartwatches are equipped with a single-lead ECG and employ PPG technology to detect this arrhythmia.
• Detecting Blood Pressure Issues: Smartwatches have a built-in inflatable cuff that measures blood pressure. Alternatively, the earlier-mentioned PPG or light-sensor technology can be used to detect heart rate.
• Measuring Blood Oxygen Levels: Smartwatches provide information about the heart’s ability to pump blood to the lungs and other parts of the body.

So, can smartwatches detect heart problems? The answer is no. Smartwatches cannot detect serious anomalies like stroke, heart attack, or heart failure. Also, symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or palpitations can indicate serious heart-related conditions that a cardiologist should evaluate, rather than relying solely on a smartwatch for diagnosis of heart problems.

Understanding The Limitations of Smartwatches

Smartwatches, although a handy tool for measuring specific heart health parameters, cannot replace clinical-grade diagnostic equipment, such as ECGS. The accuracy of smartwatch ECGS is not always precise.

Below are some drawbacks of smartwatch ECGS compared to traditional handheld ECGS. Let’s take a look:

1. For ECG readings, one has to sit still while holding the smartwatch with both hands. So, invariably, such readings cannot happen during exercise.
2. The recorded data may be of poor quality because the ECG was taken from the wrist or finger using hospital equipment, rather than from the chest.
3. Continuous and long recordings are required for proper analysis of ECG data. However, smartwatches take readings in 30—to 60-second segments.

Furthermore, like any digital device, smartwatches are prone to false positives and false negatives. Navigating through such data can be confusing, and hence, an elaborate heart health assessment at a cardiologist’s office is always warranted.

Partnering with Your Doctor: Best Approaches

As discussed in the preceding sections, smartwatches have limited functionality in terms of what they can detect and measure. So, they should definitely not be considered a replacement for a thorough evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a cardiologist. Below, we have enlisted some best practices for heart patients that they can follow for optimal health outcomes.

• Consider a smartwatch as a tool: Although smartwatches still don’t qualify as clinical-grade devices, they are still valuable for detecting specific heart problems, such as AFib. This information can help you and your healthcare provider better manage your treatment plan for the condition.
• Use smartwatch data to maintain optimal heart health: Discuss with your cardiologist how your smartwatch can help you monitor and maintain your heart health. Sharing your smartwatch data with your doctor can provide you with valuable tips and insights.
• Don’t Ignore Symptoms: If you experience symptoms such as dizziness, heart palpitations, or chest pain, along with shoulder pain, consult your doctor immediately. A good way to monitor your heart health is to schedule regular heart check-ups. Regular checkups are essential if you suffer from any heart ailment, are over 50 years old, or are genetically predisposed to heart problems.

Here’s what some of Dr. Mittal’s patients had to say about combining smartwatch monitoring with expert care:

“I used to feel my heart skipping beats sometimes, and my smartwatch kept showing irregular rhythms. I wasn’t sure how serious it was until I met Dr. Dinesh Mittal. He patiently went through my smartwatch readings, did some tests, and confirmed I had early signs of atrial fibrillation. Thanks to his advice and treatment, I’m managing it well now. I wear my smartwatch regularly, but I rely on Dr. Mittal to guide me through what the numbers really mean.” – Rajiv Khanna, 57, Noida.

“My smartwatch showed a low heart rate a few times, especially when I was sleeping. I got worried and consulted Dr. Mittal. He didn’t dismiss it—instead, he appreciated that I noticed it early. He ran a few tests and reassured me that it wasn’t dangerous, but still gave me practical tips to monitor my heart better. His calm and clear explanations helped me trust the process.” – Meenal Arora, 50, Delhi.

The Bottomline

Smartwatches can monitor heart health, but have limited functionality. Is it worth using a wearable device for heart health? Before investing in a fitness wearable, such as a smartwatch, consult your doctor to understand your expectations for the device, including its capabilities and limitations.

FAQs

1. What heart conditions can smartwatches find?

Smartwatches can detect heart conditions like Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) or irregular heartbeats. However, they are more helpful in monitoring cardiovascular health. Smartwatch heart monitoring includes tracking attributes such as rhythm and heart rate, and sometimes even taking ECG readings.

2. Do cardiologists recommend using smartwatches?

Although smartwatches should not be considered a replacement for medical devices, cardiologists view them as handy monitoring tools, especially for those with AFIB or irregular heartbeats.

3. How accurate are ECG readings on a smartwatch?

Smartwatch ECG readings are generally 90-95% accurate in detecting atrial fibrillation (AFib) or other abnormal heart rhythms. However, users should be aware that these devices are not as full-fledged as a more elaborate 12-lead ECG for some heart ailments.

4. Can smartwatches detect heart attacks?

An impending heart attack can manifest several physical symptoms which a device like a smartwatch cannot measure. Although smartwatches provide valuable information about heart health, they should not be used as a replacement for professional clinical diagnosis or conventional medical treatment.

5. When should you wear a smartwatch?

Your needs and personal preferences determine whether you need to wear a smartwatch all day. Factors such as your age, heart history, symptoms, and the cost of the wearable are also important considerations when investing in a smartwatch.

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