How smartwatches can save lives by tracking cardiology and other health warnings

In 2025, smartwatches will no longer be just gadgets that track your steps or buzz when you get a message. They’ve become powerful health tools, especially when it comes to monitoring the heart. With more people taking their health into their own hands, wearable technology is stepping up in big ways, offering features once found only in a doctor’s office.

Recent growth in the smartwatch market is being driven by interest in personal health tracking. Devices are now equipped with sensors that measure heart rate, blood pressure, and even detect irregular heart rhythms. This shift has made health data more accessible and easier to manage at home or on the go.

The smartwatches that can track

Today’s smartwatches are built with tools that go far beyond simple pulse monitoring. Most devices now include:

1. ECG (electrocardiogram): Sensors that can detect abnormal heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation by tracking the heart’s electrical signals.

2. PPG (photoplethysmography): Sensors that use light to monitor blood flow and calculate heart rate.

3. Blood pressure monitoring: Either through small built-in cuffs or sensor-based systems that estimate pressure based on pulse waves.

4. SpO2 monitoring: Which tracks blood oxygen levels, helpful for detecting signs of sleep apnea or other breathing issues.

One of the biggest changes is how this data is used. For example, someone experiencing dizziness or chest discomfort might check their watch for heart rate or rhythm changes and use that information to decide whether to seek help.

Smartwatches also alert users when something seems off, like a racing heart while at rest or a skipped beat. These alerts can serve as early warnings and help users catch conditions before they become more serious.

Why are more people choosing smartwatches for health

According to a recent report by GoodRx, the number of smartwatch users interested in heart health features continues to rise. A 2020 Pew Research study showed that about one in five Americans already used a fitness tracker or smartwatch, and that number has grown steadily since then.

A big reason for this jump? Accessibility. With rising healthcare costs and longer wait times, people are looking for ways to manage their health from home. Smartwatches give users access to basic heart data 24/7, allowing them to spot trends and make informed choices about their well-being.

People with existing conditions like high blood pressure or heart rhythm problems often find these features especially helpful. Instead of guessing how their heart is doing, they have real-time data at their fingertips. Some watches even allow users to export their heart reports and share them directly with their doctors.

In addition to older adults, younger users are turning to smartwatches to stay ahead of potential health risks. This shift toward prevention rather than reaction is one of the reasons why smartwatch use continues to grow across age groups.

Support from doctors and the FDA

The medical community has started to recognize the value of smartwatches, especially when it comes to tracking conditions like atrial fibrillation. Several devices have earned FDA clearance, including:

1. Omron HeartGuide: A watch that doubles as a blood pressure cuff and provides clinically accurate readings.

2. KardiaBand: An Apple Watch accessory that records ECGs and helps users detect irregular heart rhythms.

Hospitals and clinics are also beginning to incorporate smartwatch data into patient care. Doctors can now use this information to better understand a patient’s day-to-day heart activity, which may not always be clear during short clinic visits.

Some hospitals even offer programs where patients recovering from heart surgery are sent home with a smartwatch to help doctors monitor their progress remotely. This has helped reduce unnecessary readmissions and improve overall care.

Real stories show the impact

The benefits of smartwatches aren’t just found in lab studies—they’re seen in everyday life. Take the case of Val Chaban, who noticed an alert on his watch warning of an irregular heart rhythm. After seeking medical help, he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. The early warning allowed him to get treatment before the condition became more serious.

Another story involves Sarah Kim, a pregnant mother who used her smartwatch to monitor blood pressure and heart rate. Because of a previous issue with gestational hypertension, she kept close track of her numbers during her second pregnancy. With support from her care team and the data she collected, she avoided serious complications.

Stories like these have become more common. People are using wearable tech not just to track their fitness but to potentially save their lives. These devices can act as an extra layer of protection, especially when health problems strike unexpectedly.

Know the limits and take precautions

As useful as smartwatches have become, they still have limitations. They are not a replacement for doctors, hospitals, or emergency care. Smartwatches are helpful for noticing warning signs, but they cannot detect heart attacks, strokes, or other severe conditions with certainty.

Accuracy is another concern. Factors like skin tone, tattoos, wrist movement, and even how tightly the watch is worn can impact the quality of readings. Some watches also require users to stay still during checks to get reliable results.

There are also privacy issues to think about. Health data from smartwatches is stored digitally, and users must be careful about who has access to that information. Not all apps and companies have the same standards for protecting user privacy.

Users need to understand what their device can and can’t do. When used correctly, smartwatches can support better heart health. But they should always be paired with regular doctor visits and not relied on as the sole source of medical guidance.

What’s ahead for heart health and smartwatches

Looking to the future, the next generation of smartwatches is expected to bring even more accurate and useful features. New sensor technology will improve how watches detect heart conditions, and better software will help spot issues earlier.

Some companies are developing watches that can monitor other heart-related data, like stress levels, sleep quality, and heart rate variability. Others are exploring ways to link smartwatch data with medical records, giving doctors a fuller view of their patients’ health.

One of the most exciting developments is continuous monitoring. Instead of spot-checks, future watches may offer ongoing surveillance, alerting users and doctors instantly when something is wrong. This could be especially important for people living alone or in rural areas without easy access to care.

In the years ahead, smartwatches will likely become more than health companions—they’ll be trusted tools for everyday life, offering insight, peace of mind, and a stronger connection between people and their health.