Interesting about how we use smartwatches.
"I do get nervous, honestly, when I see more data types that are more truly clinical being used in a consumer way," said Dr. Devin Mann, associate professor of population health and medicine at New York University Langone Health. "Because the conditions tied to those data types are a little scarier, and people get scared easier."
Dear Jaws66
If you took everyone off the list that appears at A&E/ doctors waiting rooms , calls to 999/111, that was there because of a home monitoring system, I think it would surprise you.
In there defence { small } most say that there information is a guide, and you should take regular reading to find an average guide line.
But who really reads instructions ? This is from someone that the tv remote looks alien to.
Take care
Hi Strange as I am in process of ordering one today but just a basic fitness tracker all I want to know are the basics .
Anymore I think I would scare myself and be on phone to GP daily
Hi,
They aren’t. They can be a helpful tool amongst everything else. I use one to help with other medical needs. It’s not perfect but it’s what I’ve got.
With my cardiac symptoms, I’d probably not have sought the help I did 2 years ago if I’d had my Apple Watch then since it only “alerts “ me when I have a low-ish heart rate for 10 consecutive minutes. So it may have given me false reassurance if I put that much faith in it.
There are people who will always be hyper aware of what numbers are on the home blood pressure monitor , the home body fat scales, women who will do frequent pregnancy tests etc. it usually comes from fear / anxiety which can be compounded by inability to access appropriate or enough information/care.
I've worn a fitbit watch for years, even before my diagnosis with microvascular angina. I use it to track my runs, steps etc, but I am aware of its inaccuracies especially regarding the GPS. Regarding my heart rate, I have compared it every time I get it measured by the hospital or my GP and I have to say its been accurate within a single beat. I now find if more invaluable to monitor my running as I get angina when the rate goes over about 155. When I see it going over that, I slow my pace down. This has meant I use my GTN less and I can run for much longer, so for me, it's a positive.
Same here mine tracks my heart rate well when I am swimming and that’s an exercise you can overdo without knowing as the water keeps you cool and weightless, so ny watch is a great comfort and so far because of wearing it I have not had to use my gtn spray at all. In just 3 months I have gone from 20 lengths to 80 lengths per session with relative ease. Mine does not accurately track my steps (possibly me not knowing how to calibrating my length of stride) but it’s a ball park figure for me to be able to reflect on progress. I think listening to our bodies is the most important thing we can do but these can help make us be more aware of changes if treated as a fitness tracker rather than being used as a medical device.
I was never interested in "fitness devices" before my double bypass, but I've worn a watch daily ever since. However, I do it to be sure that I'm following the medical staff's directions to do regular exercise and raise my heart rate, and to some extent that I'm not overdoing it. I'm not watching it for signs of problems, whatever those might be.
I’ve been using a Fitbit for a while now & find it really useful as a guide to tracking steps, sleep, calories and water intake. I’m really happy with it as I’m using it as a tool to lose weight & get fitter alongside doing fitness classes and using knowledge learnt from a health trainer.
Generally true, but consider the case of someone who might have afib. The ECG on say a Fitbit can provide the cardiologist with a 30 sec ecg which will help diagnose afib. So you can use it whenever you feel ill.It's not as good as an Alivecor but if you don't have one it is very useful.. Also I can understand better the circumstances when I get symptoms, and tailor my exercise accordingly.
From what I've seen in many posts, smart watches and such seem to be making a lot of people obsessive about their health and scared of tiny variations in the results
My smartwatch found my AF! Totally out of the blue and initially dismissed by my GP as a false positive result. 24hr holter test in December picked up the AF again and now taking daily aspirin.
Yes, they can be addictive but they can also be life-saving.
That is good to know. May I ask what smart watch you use. I have read good reports on the apple watches, detecting problems.
Only recently bought a fitness watch to keep up with my steps per day /sleep hours/ and a wee reminder set to drink water every two hours. I love mine. I don’t bother with the other info.
You Must Declare Medical Conditions
Experiences of heart monitoring devices
Covid-19 and high blood pressure medication
medical therapy not worked
Transfer of medical records between hospitals
