Many people own a smartwatch but only use it for notifications or tracking steps. While these features are useful, your smartwatch can do much more—especially when it comes to your health. Originally designed for fitness enthusiasts, smartwatches offer functionalities that can benefit anyone, regardless of their activity level.
Recent research presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25) highlights how smartwatches can provide a more accurate indicator of cardiovascular health. The study suggests that calculating your daily heart rate per step (DHRPS)—dividing your average daily heart rate by your step count—could be a better measure of heart fitness than step count or heart rate alone. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 7,000 adults and found that individuals with higher DHRPS were significantly more likely to have conditions like high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes.
This finding underscores how wearables can go beyond counting steps. By tracking heart rate fluctuations throughout the day, your smartwatch can help identify early signs of cardiovascular issues and encourage you to take preventive measures. The best part? You already have this data available—just a few simple calculations can give you valuable insights into your heart health.
Beyond heart monitoring, your smartwatch can assist with other aspects of well-being:
- Sleep Tracking: Understanding your sleep patterns can help improve rest quality.
- Stress Management: Features like heart rate variability tracking can indicate stress levels.
- Sedentary Alerts: Reminders to move can help reduce health risks linked to prolonged sitting.
- Customizable Fitness Goals: You don’t have to be an athlete to benefit—set goals tailored to your lifestyle.
Wearables are not just for runners or gym-goers; they are an accessible health tool for everyone. If you already own a smartwatch, why not use it to take control of your well-being? The future of health monitoring is already on your wrist—it’s time to make the most of it.
Associate Professor at University of Granada