Apple watches and other wearable devices are increasingly being recommended by doctors as a useful tool for managing health conditions, including heart disease monitoring and post-surgery recovery. Dr. Rod Passman, a cardiologist and professor of medicine at Northwestern Medicine, highlights the numerous health benefits these devices offer. They empower patients to actively engage in their healthcare, understand how lifestyle choices impact their health, and allow doctors to remotely monitor patients’ heart rhythm long-term.
While these devices are not meant to solely diagnose diseases, they serve as valuable aids in the diagnostic process. Dr. Passman emphasizes the importance of obtaining medical-grade confirmation before initiating any treatment. However, he acknowledges the accuracy of these devices in detecting abnormal heart rhythms, especially when coupled with skilled physician interpretation.
Dr. Passman is spearheading a National Institute of Health-funded study to explore how individuals with abnormal heart rhythms can use wearable devices to personalize their care. By leveraging the data from these devices, patients may be able to optimize the timing of medications like blood thinners, balancing the benefits and risks more effectively.
