Smartwatches are playing an increasing role in monitoring patient health. Doctors are noticing more cases where patients use wearable technology, such as smartwatches, to track vital signs. These devices provide valuable health data, including heart rate, sleep patterns, and body temperature, and can serve as critical early warning systems.
One recent case involves Rachel Manalo, a pediatric cardiologist, who experienced a health scare while pregnant. She credits her smartwatch’s EKG function with helping to save her and her unborn child.
Smartwatch EKG Alerts Lead to Life-Saving Diagnosis
While 18 weeks pregnant, Manalo began experiencing rapid heartbeats, fatigue, and dizziness. As her symptoms worsened at 33 weeks, she turned to her smartwatch’s electrocardiogram (EKG) feature. The watch’s reading alerted her to irregular heart activity, prompting her to seek medical attention.
Further tests revealed that Manalo was experiencing ventricular tachycardia, a condition where the heart beats at an abnormally fast rate. At one point, her heart rate reached 150 beats per minute for over 40 minutes, a dangerous scenario that could lead to a heart attack.
Doctors at UCLA advised an emergency C-section at 34 weeks, explaining that her heart might not withstand a natural delivery.
Doctors Stress the Importance of Professional Interpretation
While wearable health tech can be invaluable, medical professionals emphasize that it should complement, not replace, expert diagnosis. “Raw data is not a diagnosis. It’s just symptoms,” said Dr. Tina Nguyen, a specialist at UCLA. Patients are encouraged to share their health data with doctors but avoid self-diagnosing.
After the successful delivery of her baby, Manalo underwent treatment for her heart condition. Her story highlights the life-saving potential of wearable technology, but it also serves as a reminder of the importance of medical expertise in interpreting health data.
Manalo’s daughter, Samantha, was born healthy, and both mother and child are now thriving. This case underscores how smartwatches, while designed for everyday use, are becoming essential tools in modern healthcare.
