Smartwatches are now being used to collect a lot of health data, which doctors hope can predict health risks and complications before they happen, according to the BBC.
This wearable technology gathers information on things like heart rate, oxygen levels, and even breathing patterns, helping doctors get a more complete view of a person’s health. At the CHUV University Hospital in Switzerland, Dr. Patrick Schoettker is testing the Masimo W1 smartwatch to see if it can predict possible complications before surgery.
The smartwatch tracks patient health for weeks before surgery, allowing doctors to spot any hidden health issues that could become dangerous during the operation. This way, doctors have a “digital twin” of the patient’s body, Schoettker told BBC, and can take steps to prevent problems.
The smartwatch market is expanding rapidly, with millions of people already using devices from companies like Masimo, Apple, Samsung, and Fitbit, which track various health measures.
Consultant cardiologist Gosia Wamil of Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London explains that patients often share smartwatch data with their doctors to check for signs of health issues, such as irregular heartbeats.
The BBC notes that this information lets doctors catch early signs of serious conditions like atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), which can lead to strokes if not treated. Some smartwatches even let patients record their heart activity whenever they feel symptoms, so doctors can confirm if there’s a problem.
Recently, BBC shared that some smartwatches have shown promise in detecting neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease, even up to seven years before a diagnosis.
Researchers at Cardiff University found that subtle changes in movement, like slower walking speeds, could indicate early signs of Parkinson’s. Cynthia Sandor, who led this study, hopes that spotting these signs early could help start treatments sooner, potentially slowing the disease’s progress.
Smartwatches might also help people with epilepsy, predicting when a seizure is likely to happen, explained Aileen McGonigal of the Queensland Brain Institute to BBC.
By tracking patterns in heart rate, sweating, and body movements, researchers hope they can alert epilepsy patients in advance of a seizure, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
BBC also highlighted that while smartwatches are helpful, they come with risks. For instance, false positives from these devices could lead to unnecessary doctor visits, increasing patient anxiety.
Dr. Jeremy Smelt from St George’s Hospital NHS warned that though smartwatches offer new ways to detect health issues early, testing and careful usage are necessary.
Nonetheless, experts believe that these devices can make health monitoring at home as common as using a thermometer, potentially keeping people out of the emergency room and helping them manage conditions from home.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20241025-the-smartwatches-that-can-predict-parkinsons-disease