What Wearable Technology Can Tell You About Your Health

Your smart watch may do more than count your steps. New health technology is giving people more ways to understand their health and spot changes over time.

Google recently announced a new feature for its Pixel Watch 5 that tracks trends associated with insulin resistance. The feature analyzes data collected by the watch to identify changes in metabolic health.

Although it doesn’t measure blood sugar or diagnose insulin resistance, the new product shows the direction wearable health technology is heading.

Smart watches and smart rings can already track a variety of health information, including:

• Heart rate and heart rhythm
• Physical activity and steps
• Sleep patterns
• Blood oxygen levels
• Exercise and recovery
• Health trends related to metabolism

The biggest benefit isn’t a single number, it’s the ability to notice patterns.

“You can learn a lot from tracking your health over time, but wearable devices are tools, not diagnostic tests,” said Sophia Rahman, DO, a primary care physician with Jackson Medical Group. “If you notice a significant or persistent change, share that information with your doctor. We can help determine what it means and whether you need additional testing.”

For example, you may notice changes in your sleep, resting heart rate, or activity level. That information can help you make healthier choices and give you something useful to discuss with a healthcare professional.

Wearable technology has limits. A smart watch or ring isn’t a substitute for medical care, and some health measurements are estimates rather than medical tests. The U.S Food and Drug Administration also warns consumers not to use smartwatches or smart rings that claim to measure blood glucose without piercing the skin.

You don’t need to track everything. Choose one or two health goals that matter to you and use your device as a helpful guide, not something to worry about.

Dr. Rahman specializes in primary care and preventive care as part of Jackson Medical Group. To learn more about Dr. Rahman or schedule an appointment, visit: https://jacksonhealth.org/find-a-doctor/sophia-rahman/.