Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the U.S., surpassing cancer and road accidents combined, according to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for preventative measures and improved health monitoring. Could smartwatches play a role in combating this crisis?
Daily activity on the Apple Health app.
The Growing Burden of Cardiovascular Disease
The AHA report, published in Circulation, paints a stark picture of cardiovascular health in America: almost half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, and a similar percentage are obese. Furthermore, over half of American adults live with Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes. These statistics highlight the widespread prevalence of risk factors contributing to heart disease. The report also emphasizes the growing concern of kidney disease, both in the U.S. and globally.
Smartwatches as Complementary Health Tools
Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, Chief Medical Officer for Prevention at the AHA, suggests that smartwatches can play a complementary role in encouraging and tracking healthy habits. By providing “health insights” through data collection and dashboards, these wearables can increase user awareness of their physical condition and motivate healthier choices.
Sleep Tracking and Cardiovascular Health
Apple Watch Series 8 showing sleep tracking results.
The AHA report underscores the importance of sleep in cardiovascular health. Many smartwatches offer detailed sleep analysis, including breakdowns of REM, Core, and Deep sleep stages. The Apple Watch, for example, integrates sleep data with heart and respiratory rate information. This comprehensive approach can offer valuable insights into sleep patterns and potential health issues. Moreover, the report highlights the connection between sleep apnea and cardiovascular problems, with some smartwatches already offering or developing sleep apnea detection features.
Statistics on sleep quality reported by Americans.
Detecting Atrial Fibrillation
Apple Watch and Afib history shown on an iPhone.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is another serious heart condition linked to cardiovascular disease. Leading smartwatch brands have made significant advancements in AFib detection, with Apple, Samsung, and Fitbit offering FDA-cleared features. Dr. Ahmad Ghayas Ansari from the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology advocates for the use of commercially available smartwatches for their ability to record and share crucial health data with physicians.
Combating Sedentary Lifestyles
Statistics on physical activity reported by Americans.
The AHA report links sedentary lifestyles to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Smartwatches can help combat this by providing inactivity reminders and activity tracking for various workouts. Features like Apple’s Stand Reminders and similar functionalities on other smartwatches encourage users to move regularly. Subscription services like Apple Fitness+ offer personalized workout guidance directly on the wrist.
Cardio details on Apple Watch and iPhone.
Obesity, Nutrition, and Blood Pressure Monitoring
Huawei Watch D2.
While most smartwatches can’t directly address obesity, nutrition, or blood pressure, they offer companion apps for logging food and medication intake. Apps like Apple Medications help users track their medication schedules. However, experts emphasize the importance of sharing this data with medical professionals for informed decision-making.
Apple
Expert Perspectives and Cautions
The Pixel Watch 3, Apple Watch Series 10, and Galaxy Watch 7 next to each other.
Medical experts acknowledge the potential of smartwatches in improving heart health outcomes. Dr. Sanchez cautions against relying solely on wearables, emphasizing that they should complement, not replace, traditional medical care. He stresses the need for rigorous testing to ensure data accuracy and actionable feedback. While smartwatches offer valuable tools for monitoring and promoting heart health, they are most effective when used in conjunction with professional medical guidance.
