High tech health

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — Keeping tabs on your health stats has never been easier with the variety of wearable devices available these days. But the amount and types of data they deliver can be overwhelming. Brandon Stucky, MD, with AdventHealth Medical Group Family Medicine at Castle Rock, weighs in on the latest advancements and how to get the most benefit from your device.

Clinical-grade sensors and biomarker tracking

Wearables are no longer just step-counters. Devices are integrating ECG (electrocardiogram), SpO₂ (blood oxygen), blood pressure estimation, HRV (heart-rate variability) and other physiological biomarkers.

This means everyday gadgets are edging into the territory of health-monitoring devices, providing deeper insights than ever before.

However, don’t rely on your Oura ring or your WHOOP strap to make a diagnosis, Dr. Stuckey cautions. Instead, share the data with your health care provider to provide a more complete health history.

“Irregular heart rhythms are a good example,” Dr. Stucky says. “These devices have variable accuracy for predicting them; I’ve had patients present with arrythmia notifications that have been a false alarm and ones that have been accurate.”

Non-invasive continuous monitoring

One of the biggest leaps in wearable technology is the foray into metabolic markers and continuous monitoring. In the past decade, people with diabetes have had access to automated insulin delivery (AID) systems that provide continuous monitoring of blood glucose levels that their doctors can review. Now, people without diabetes are using over-the-counter glucose monitors to better understand how diet, exercise and sleep impact their blood sugar levels, motivating them to adopt better health habits.

“I view the technology as an empowerment tool versus a diagnostic tool,” Dr. Stucky says. “They’re really helpful with lifestyle modification and self-monitoring, but they’re definitely not a substitute for clinical evaluation.”

Popular Smartwatch Features

Wearable devices are regularly adding features. Here is rundown of what you can count on and where you should use good judgment.