Smartwatches: Your Wrist-Worn Health Advisor

Initially conceived as a convenient way to access notifications, smartwatches have evolved into sophisticated health and wellness monitors. They offer more than just phone connectivity; they actively assist in identifying and managing various health concerns. It's crucial to remember, however, that these features are advisory and don't replace professional medical advice. They serve as prompts to schedule checkups with your doctor.

1. Sedentary Lifestyle Detection:

Most smartwatches alert users about excessive inactivity. Prolonged sitting is linked to serious health problems like diabetes, obesity, and premature mortality. Apple Watches and Fitbit devices offer built-in reminders to move. While Wear OS lacks this natively, third-party apps bridge the gap. On Fitbit, access this feature via your avatar in the app, selecting your device, and enabling "Reminders to Move."

2. Atrial Fibrillation Detection:

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a heart rhythm disorder. Early detection is key, as treatment can mitigate risks. Smartwatches with electrocardiogram (ECG) functionality, including recent models from Apple, Samsung, Fitbit, and Withings, can detect AFib signs. Consult your smartwatch's manual for proper ECG use. For Apple Watch Series 4 and later, ensure a snug fit and use the dedicated ECG app.

3. Sleep Apnea Monitoring:

Sleep apnea involves irregular breathing during sleep. Untreated, it can lead to hypertension, stroke risk, and daytime fatigue. While no smartwatch directly diagnoses sleep apnea, they can identify restless sleep patterns, a potential indicator. Smartwatches with blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) sensors, like the Withings ScanWatch (pending regulatory approval), provide more detailed sleep monitoring. Fitbit is also developing sleep apnea detection via app updates.

4. Respiratory Issue Indication:

SpO2 sensors (pulse oximeters) detect breathing irregularities, potentially indicating lung problems. This isn't as precise as ECG for AFib, as it identifies only one indicator. The Apple Watch Series 6, Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, TicWatch Pro 3, and various Fitbit and Garmin smartwatches include SpO2 sensors. On the Galaxy Watch 3, use the Samsung Health app to access blood oxygen readings. Normal readings are typically 95-100%, but individual variations exist. Consult a doctor if readings fall outside this range, but remember these sensors aren't as accurate as medical devices.

5. Stress Level Assessment:

Managing stress is vital. Chronic stress contributes to various health issues. The Fitbit Sense uses an electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor to measure skin electrical activity, estimating stress levels. Lower scores indicate higher stress. This requires launching the EDA Scan app. Other smartwatches offer stress-management tools like Apple Watch's Breathe app. While many detect elevated heart rates, the Fitbit Sense's EDA sensor is more direct.

6. Diabetes Detection (Future Development):

Currently, smartwatches cannot detect diabetes risk. However, Cardiogram is researching this, aiming to develop an app using deep learning to analyze heart rate data from various wearables (Wear OS, Apple Watch, Garmin, Fitbit). While research shows potential, this isn't a currently available feature.

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