Can your everyday smartwatch catch an irregular heartbeat or replace a doctor?

Smartwatches now do much more than count daily steps or track basic workouts. Modern wearable devices can monitor heart rates, spot variations in heart rhythm, and sometimes even perform ECG measurements to help people catch health issues early.

How It Works

Many smartwatches use photoplethysmography, a light-based sensor technology that checks changes in blood flow through the skin during each heartbeat. Dr Amit Handa, who serves as a Consultant in Cardiology at Kailash Hospital and Neuro Institute, explains that this analysis helps estimate heart rates and find unusual rhythm patterns. Advanced watches also include ECG recording tools to capture the electrical signals of the heart.

Limits and Warnings

A major benefit of these wearables is flagging irregular rhythms like atrial fibrillation, a common condition where the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly. This can cause dizziness, breathlessness, or palpitations, though it sometimes happens without any noticeable signs. However, smartwatches cannot diagnose every heart problem. They cannot detect a heart attack, blocked arteries, or heart failure, and their capabilities vary by model. Movement and poor skin contact can also cause false alarms or missed readings. Experts advise treating any watch alert as a helpful screening tool rather than a final medical diagnosis.