The smartwatch has evolved from being a tool for receiving notifications to an advanced device that allows us to monitor our health easily, consistently, and safely.
This is made possible through sensors that track physical wellness in real time, including heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep quality, and even heart rate variability.
Moreover, smartwatches don’t just take readings when we ask them to — they can also send alerts for abnormal heart rhythms, warning of possible arrhythmias or episodes of atrial fibrillation, for example. They can track daily physical activity, estimate stress levels, and some models can even detect sudden falls and send alerts to emergency contacts.
All these features make the smartwatch a valuable tool for everyone, whether living with one or more chronic conditions or simply looking to improve their lifestyle.
However, a frequent question is: What do all these smartwatch health data actually mean? Especially when it comes to cardiovascular health.
Blood Pressure Monitor
One of the most notable benefits of a smartwatch is its ability to continuously measure heart rate, offering valuable insights into heart activity both at rest and during exercise.
It’s important to clarify that a smartwatch does not replace traditional blood pressure monitors, but it can help identify trends and patterns that may indicate hypertension (high blood pressure) or hypotension (low blood pressure).
Being able to measure blood pressure in real time and without using a sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff) makes cardiovascular health management easier, especially for individuals with a history of high blood pressure.
Although each person is different and health characteristics vary, in general, smartwatch blood pressure readings can be interpreted as follows:
- Hypotension: less than 90/60 mmHg
- Normal pressure: 90–120 / 60–80 mmHg
- High-normal pressure: 121–129 / 80 mmHg
- Stage 1 Hypertension: 130–139 / 80–89 mmHg
- Stage 2 Hypertension: 140 / 90 mmHg or higher
- Hypertensive crisis: over 180 / 120 mmHg (requires immediate medical attention)
Heart Rate
Heart rate measurement is one of the most commonly used features in smartwatches, which rely on optical sensors to detect blood flow changes and calculate the heart’s rhythm.
Some smartwatch models can even detect abnormalities such as tachycardia (fast heart rate) or bradycardia (slow heart rate), and issue alerts when values fall outside the normal range.
Typical heart rate data may include:
- Resting heart rate: generally between 60–100 bpm in adults
- Active heart rate: can exceed 100–150 bpm during exercise, depending on intensity and fitness level
- Estimated maximum heart rate: approximately 220 minus your age (in bpm)
- Heart rate variability (HRV): measures the variation in time between beats, reflecting the state of the autonomic nervous system
- Abnormal heart rate alerts: notifications if the heart rate is too high or too low, based on preset thresholds
- Nighttime heart rate: tracks heart activity during sleep to assess recovery and sleep quality
It’s important to note that heart rate naturally varies throughout the day depending on activity, emotions, and health conditions. Knowing this data helps healthcare providers detect potential health issues, if present.
Which Is the Best Smartwatch?
When choosing the best smartwatch for health monitoring, it’s important to consider the features it offers.
Beyond heart rate and blood pressure monitoring, some models include:
- Blood oxygen (SpO2): Measures oxygen saturation in the blood, useful for detecting respiratory issues, sleep apnea, or early signs of infection
- Sleep quality: Analyzes sleep duration and stages to identify sleep patterns or disorders
- Physical activity tracking: Logs steps, distance, calories burned, and workouts
- Stress monitoring: Estimates stress levels and offers guided breathing exercises for relaxation
- Body temperature: Helps detect fever or metabolic changes
- Hydration tracking: Some models let users log water intake
- Women’s health: Tracks menstrual cycles and ovulation
Not all smartwatches offer all of these features. To determine the best smartwatch for your needs, it’s important to identify which metrics you want to monitor and manage.
The data collected by a smartwatch should be considered as a guide, not a final diagnosis. If there are any doubts or alarming figures, it’s always a good idea to see a doctor to obtain clinical measurements and, if necessary, develop an appropriate treatment plan.
At the ABC Medical Center’s Arrhythmia Clinic, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
Fuentes:
Movilzona, Infobae, SaludDigna, Revespcardiol
