Can Devices Like Smartwatches Detect Heart Problems?

Devices that can record an ECG are becoming popular, but how reliable are they? In this episode of The Orange Club Podcast, Dr. Dimpu Edwin breaks down what these tools can and cannot do when it comes to detecting heart issues.

Watch the video here: Does smart devices detect heart problems

Is a Single Line on a Watch Enough to Diagnose?

An ECG recorded on a smartwatch or similar device gives only one angle of the heart’s activity. Think of it like looking at a single snapshot. A hospital ECG, on the other hand, uses multiple leads placed around the chest, which act like cameras capturing different views. This 360-degree coverage is what helps doctors catch subtle signs of a heart attack that a watch alone could easily miss.

The Hidden Risk of Relying on Devices During Symptoms

Chest pain is a red flag that calls for immediate medical attention. Stopping to check a device at that moment not only delays care but could also provide a false sense of reassurance. Even the device manufacturers themselves make it clear that their readings cannot diagnose or rule out a heart attack. Dr. Edwin stresses that in such cases, every minute counts, and visiting the nearest clinic for a proper ECG should be the first step.

Are Wearable Devices Useful For Heart Health? 

While they cannot replace medical tests, smart devices do have a place in preventive health. They can alert users to irregular rhythms or prompt them to pay closer attention to their heart health. For routine monitoring, they can be helpful companions. But when it comes to diagnosing something as serious as a heart attack, they fall short of the accuracy and detail a doctor needs.

The Safer Choice for Your Heart

Smart devices can support, but they cannot replace, medical judgment. The gold standard remains a full ECG taken under clinical supervision. Knowing the limits of technology and acting quickly when symptoms strike is what truly safeguards heart health.

This is just a snapshot of the discussion. In the full podcast episode of knowing everything about heart attack, Dr. Dimpu Edwin and Tarun Bhambra go deeper into why technology can never fully replace medical judgment when it comes to heart health.