Wearable health monitoring: wave of the future or waste of time?

Abstract

Background: Atrial fibrillation is responsible for over 400,000 hospitalizations in the United States (US) each year. This costs the US health system over 4 billion each year. New smartwatches can constantly monitor pulse, oxygen saturation, and even heart rhythm. The FDA has provided clearance for select smartwatches to detect arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation.

Findings: These devices are not currently widely implemented as diagnostic tools. In this review, we delve into the mechanism of how smartwatches work as healthcare tools and how they capture health data. Additionally, we analyze the reliability of the data collected by smartwatches and the accuracy of their sensors in monitoring health parameters. Moreover, we explore the accessibility of smartwatches as healthcare tools and their potential to promote self- care among individuals. Finally, we assess the outcomes of using smartwatches in healthcare, including the limited studies on the clinical effects and barriers to uptake by the community.

Conclusion: Although smartwatches are accurate for the detection of atrial fibrillation, they still face many hurdles, including access to aging populations and trust in the medical community.