Empowering Personal Health Management

In a remarkable application of technology in healthcare, adult children gifted their 78-year-old mother, Sue VanWassenhove, a smartwatch to help monitor her heart health after she experienced several falls. Little did they know that this device would empower her to take charge of her wellbeing in ways she never thought possible.

While exploring the features of her new smartwatch, VanWassenhove discovered a worrying pattern: her heart rate was dropping at various times throughout the day. This revelation prompted her to quickly schedule an appointment with her cardiologist, demonstrating the powerful intersection of technology and proactive health management. "Having a smartwatch is very empowering because I’m not being passive with my healthcare,” she stated. “It’s important for me to discuss any health issues that show up on my watch with my doctors."

The Rise of Health Monitoring Devices

Experts strongly advocate for more individuals to follow in VanWassenhove's footsteps. The rise of personal health monitoring devices—such as smartwatches, fingertip heart monitors, and automated blood pressure cuffs—has made it increasingly easy for the general public to keep track of their heart health. In a nationwide survey conducted by the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, it was found that nearly two-thirds of Americans utilize some form of monitoring device.

The survey revealed the following statistics on the most popular health monitoring tools: 32% of people use smartwatches, 31% have portable blood pressure machines, 19% utilize fitness apps, and 13% wear fitness trackers. Surprisingly, despite the high usage of these devices, only 1 in 4 individuals take the critical step of discussing this health data with their healthcare provider.

The Importance of Early Detection

Dr. Laxmi Mehta, the director of preventative cardiology and women’s cardiovascular health at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, emphasized the importance of early detection facilitated by these self-monitoring devices. "These tools can capture significant health changes early on," she noted. For example, home blood pressure monitoring can alert patients to rising levels before their next scheduled appointment, and devices may catch irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation long before they manifest during a doctor's visit.

Integrating Heart Health Monitoring

VanWassenhove's health journey is further complicated by her sleep apnea, a condition affecting both her heart rate and breathing patterns. The smartwatch has thus become a central part of her health monitoring. During a recent visit to Dr. Mehta, she learned that her device could also perform an EKG, enabling her to track the electrical signals in her heart—a feature that can be sent directly to her doctor through her electronic medical chart.

Consulting Healthcare Professionals

Normal resting heart rates range from 60 to 100 beats per minute, but various factors including non-heart-related issues like infections, dehydration, anxiety, or thyroid disorders can influence this range. Dr. Mehta stresses that when heart rates or rhythms deviate from an individual's norm, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional.

The Road Ahead

The insights from the survey, which included 1,008 participants and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points, underscore the potential of smartwatches in personal health management. As technology continues to develop, patients like VanWassenhove are riding the wave of innovation to take control of their health, bridging the gap between personal awareness and professional medical care—and experts agree: this trend is just beginning.

For more information on utilizing smartwatches to track heart health effectively, be sure to check out resources from healthcare organizations and experts in the field.