Wearing a smartwatch has now become part of everyday life for many people. Many see the digital watches on their wrist as a loyal companion – and also trust their smartwatch completely when it comes to health. Whether it’s steps, sleep, pulse or blood pressure: the devices promise a lot – and above all, optimizing your own health by constantly monitoring the values.

However, many doctors doubt that the manufacturers can keep this promise. In an interview with CNN US doctor and professor Dr. Leana Wen cleared up some health myths about smart watches. She explained where smartwatches really promote health – and where they are even harmful.

Doctor warns: Never rely on your smartwatch for these issues

Wen warned that smartwatches are not approved for diagnosing heart attacks. “If you have chest pain and your smartwatch says your heart rate and ECG are normal, that doesn’t mean you’re OK.” She stressed that smartwatches cannot replace medical monitoring devices and one should always see a doctor if one has heart problems.

Another health problem detected by smartwatches is atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm that can increase the risk of stroke. Wen noted in a conversation with CNN says that people who receive a notification from their smartwatch about an irregular heart rhythm should consult their GP. “Even if your smartwatch says your heart rate and rhythm are normal, you should see a doctor if you feel any unusual symptoms.”

When measuring oxygen levels or blood sugar, Wen raised some concerns about the accuracy of smartwatches. She recommended using special devices when accurate readings are needed. People who rely on accurate blood sugar measurements would still need to use devices prescribed by their doctor.

These are the health benefits of wearing a smartwatch

Regarding heart rate monitoring, Wen explained that smartwatches can help athletes keep their heart rate within a certain range. Many active people, including runners and triathletes, have therefore successfully used their smartwatches to monitor their heart rate during exercise. In addition, many smartwatches can track other fitness and health data, including the number of steps. Are you looking to buy a new smartwatch? We’ll show you the best models at a glance.

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“Studies have shown that setting daily step goals can reduce the risk of heart disease and early death,” the doctor told the TV station. Smartwatches could also be helpful in monitoring sleep, Wen said. Many smartwatches track sleep, including the duration and stages of sleep.

“Personally, I find this information helpful,” she said, adding that she is trying different sleep methods. “I like the data my smartwatch gives me on sleep quality and duration.” In conclusion, Wen noted that smartwatches could be beneficial for people who like data. “I like my smartwatch because it gives me data that can help inform and motivate me.” She concluded by stressing that the key to health success is ultimately finding what works for you and that the smartwatch should not add any extra pressure or stress.

An editor wrote and/or optimized this article using partial AI language modeling. All information has been carefully reviewed.