Can your smartwatch warn you before an illness strikes? Find out how reliable this technology is.

The biggest advantage of a smartwatch is its ability to understand your body's normal patterns and detect any changes occurring within them.

Smartwatch: Technology has advanced significantly these days. From smartphones to smartwatches, the market is filled with devices that simplify many of your daily tasks. With the help of AI, these devices now offer features that allow users to monitor their health. A new technology has now emerged that promises to warn you of an impending illness before symptoms even appear. Let’s take a closer look at this development.

What a smartwatch monitors

According to media reports, the primary benefit of a smartwatch is its ability to recognize changes in your body by understanding its normal patterns. Sudden shifts in your resting heart rate, body temperature, or sleep patterns could signal a potential health issue.

However, a smartwatch cannot pinpoint exactly which illness is causing these changes. In such cases, a doctor's examination and medical tests remain the definitive course of action.

Don't rely blindly on every health metric

While smartwatches display various health scores and statistics, it is not advisable to trust them implicitly. These devices can sometimes provide inaccurate readings due to external factors. If you consistently receive incorrect readings, it is best to rely on a doctor's assessment.

Features you can trust

Research indicates that smartwatches have proven to be highly useful in certain areas. They are considered particularly accurate at detecting Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)—an irregular heartbeat. This condition increases the risk of stroke, making early detection crucial.

Additionally, data regarding daily step counts and total sleep duration is generally considered quite reliable. However, detailed tracking of the various stages of sleep is not yet considered entirely accurate.

Will smartwatches replace doctors?

While AI and smartwatches are constantly improving, relying on them as a substitute for a doctor is by no means appropriate. If a device issues a health-related alert, it should be viewed merely as an initial indicator rather than a definitive medical report.

Taking medication or starting treatment based solely on the advice of an app or AI can prove risky. Therefore, you should always consult your doctor first.