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5 ways how wearable technology can benefit your heart health

Wearable technology has made it possible to take your health in your hands quite literally. Here's how these healthcare devices can help you manage heart health.
Benefits of wearable technology
Wearable technology can help you manage heart health. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock
Dr Tanmai Yermal Jain Updated: 16 Feb 2023, 11:14 am IST
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In recent years, problems related to heart health have become a growing concern among different age groups. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 17.9 million people die every year due to cardiovascular disease. Therefore, there is a need to constantly keep a check on heart conditions, which has become very important. With the advancement of technology in the medical field, a lot of new trends have emerged to promote the use of wearable technology to monitor heart health.

If you have an unhealthy heart, you must look at these devices which from an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor that records the signals from the heart to glucometers, thermometers, and pulse oximeters. These gadgets can make a person feel secure as they monitor changes in their body throughout the day and later use this data to get an accurate diagnosis of any of their symptoms.

With the help of these wearable devices, people are no longer required to buy different devices to record their pulse, heart rate, glucose levels, energy spent and calorie consumption. All of these are now readily available through wearable technology devices, making healthcare more accessible and accurate.

Fitness tracker keep your health on track
Fitness tracker keep your health on track. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Benefits of wearable technology for heart health

In these times of smartwatches, the benefits of wearable technology cannot be ignored. These are most useful to patients who have cardiac-related irregular heartbeats, also known as arrhythmias. For anyone looking for how to monitor heart health, here’s how these wearable devices can:

1. Wearable technology can help you track temporary heartbeat irregularities

Sometimes, arrhythmias are transient and gone before the person can make sense of what actually happened to them. In some cases, the impact of a slowed or rushed heartbeat can render a person unconscious, and only then can they make sense of what actually happened to them. This makes them unable to remember what happened when they woke up. In such scenarios, a wearable device can record data and help in the accurate diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

2. Blood pressure and pulse rate monitoring

The number of people who get regular health check-ups is still small. Therefore, many people live with undiagnosed conditions for years before the impact of the disease hits them. A blood pressure monitoring system can help such undiagnosed hypertensive patients spot irregularities and get a diagnosis.

Blood pressure monitoring machine
Bulky blood pressure monitoring machines are passe. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

3. Detecting life-threatening arrhythmias

Irregularities like ventricular tachycardia (fast heartbeat), atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, and premature ventricular beats (PVCs) can be detected and treated on time with the help of wearable devices. The data recorded by these devices can also be used to send direct input to a doctor immediately and get opinions on the required course of action.

Also read: Patients with abnormal heart rhythm must exercise regularly, finds study

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4. Wearable defibrillator device

It is a wearable jacket that can give a shock to the patient when they are experiencing life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation and can save their lives. The vest is known as Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator.

5. Track physical activity with wearable devices

These devices can also help in maintaining overall health and fitness in a person’s life by tracking their daily physical activities. They can also provide reminders and warnings according to the goals set by people.

Heart health is important
Heart health is important. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

The last word

Such wearable technology devices can be very useful in today’s day and age. People can now take control of their own health and be less worried. People who already have heart conditions, such as a previous case of a heart attack or stroke, high blood pressure, or other heart conditions, can feel safer and more aware. These devices, along with a healthy lifestyle and regular checkups, can improve the health status of many people.

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About the Author

Dr Tanmai Yermal Jain is a Consultant, Cardiology at Manipal Hospital, Kharadi- Pune. An experienced professional in all cardiac interventions in Coronaries and structural heart disease, he has a special interest in complex coronary interventions like CTO, Bifurcation, Left main and device therapies that include permanent pacemaker, AICD, ASD device closure, TAVI, and LAA device closures. ...Read More

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