2 weeks ago

Smartwatches track health changes but cannot predict disease, doctors say

Smartwatches and fitness bands can watch your body while you sleep, checking your heartbeat, breathing and how much oxygen is in your blood.

They can notice when something changes, like a funny heartbeat or trouble sleeping.

Sometimes they help people visit a doctor before they feel sick.

But a smartwatch is not a doctor and cannot tell you for sure if you have a disease.

Predicting disease needs blood tests, family history and a real doctor's judgment.

The little heart-reading on a watch is also not as good as the big machines used at hospitals.

Readings can be wrong if the watch is loose or you move around a lot.

That's why doctors say you should look at changes over many days instead of one single number.

Wearables are helpers that work alongside doctors, not replacements for them.

Key facts

Experts quoted: Dr Rachit Saxena (Yashoda Institute of Cardiac Sciences) and Dr Abhijeet Singh (ShardaCare-HealthCity)
Metrics tracked: Heart rate, blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂), respiratory rate and sleep duration
Potential conditions flagged: Sleep apnea, asthma exacerbations, COPD flare-ups, respiratory infections, early heart failure
Role of wearables: Screening and wellness tools, not diagnostic devices
Main limitation: Cannot predict or diagnose disease without clinical context, blood tests, imaging and physician judgment
Factors affecting readings: Improper fit, skin pigmentation, movement during sleep or exercise, cold extremities, device quality
Key takeaway: Long-term trends matter more than a single reading; wearables complement clinical care rather than replace it
Expert quote: "Wearables are a bridge to better healthcare, not a replacement for it."

firstpost.com · 2 weeks ago