ORANGE PARK – If you’re thinking about getting a smartwatch for that special someone this holiday season, here are a few reasons why it may be the right move. Dr. Firas El Sabbagh, an Electrophysiologist at Orange Park Medical Center said smartwatches that monitor your heart health can be beneficial for seniors, patients with an existing heart condition, or those who have a history of heart disease in their family.

The smartwatch technology, including the feature electrocardiogram tracking, is designed to keep a close eye on your health. The device can even be used to detect atrial fibrillation (Afib), a medical condition that is the leading cause of stroke.

Watches that perform consistent heart rate monitoring not only help you improve your athletic performance; it can measure your oxygen saturation levels and blood pressure. Having this historical data can help identify trends and when something may be wrong. Smartwatches that track your heart rate variability (HRV) can even measure your stress level.

“I like to recommend smartwatches with this technology to my patients with heart disease or those at risk of heart disease or stroke,” said Dr. El Sabbagh. “It’s a great way to monitor yourself beyond your regular appointments with your physician. But it’s really important to not replace your visits with your doctor with a watch.”

Dr. El Sabbagh says smartwatches are not medical devices and may not always be 100% accurate, especially if they don’t fit properly. However, the benefits of having this resource, especially if you are in an at-risk population, may be worth the investment.

Smartwatches may give an irregular heartbeat alert, but not all irregularities are dangerous or life-threatening. Thankfully, some smartwatches only send alerts when there have been a set number of abnormal beats within an hour.

“Nothing can replace a face-to-face appointment with your doctor, whether that be at your annual wellness visit or a check-in at your cardiologist,” said Dr. El Sabbagh. “But you could be giving the gift of peace-of-mind to your loved one.”