Wearable tech helps spot ‘silent’ heart risks

MANILA – According to the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) and the Philippine Heart Rhythm Society (PHRS), one-third of the global population are at risk of having heart rhythm problems in their lifetime.

Although data is limited, it is shown that the cases of heart rhythm problems like arrhythmia in the Philippines are constantly rising, which is why they asserted that early detection is important to prevent these.

Technology in the medical field is becoming more advanced and portable. Now, Filipinos are slowly turning to wearable devices like smartwatches, ECG patches, and smart rings that could help them catch these life-threatening conditions.

SILENT BUT DEADLY

Doctors describe arrhythmia as a heart condition where it disrupts its blood flow with its fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat. It occurs when the electric signals responsible for making heartbeats do not work properly due to the following:

• Heart diseases like heart attack, coronary heart disease, or heart valve disease

• Pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or sleep apnea

• Unhealthy lifestyle like drinking alcohol, smoking, or illegal drug use

In an episode of “Usapang Puso sa Puso” which was livestreamed on the PHA’s Facebook page on March 27, cardiologist-electrophysiologist Luigi Pierre Segundo explained that this heart problem is always being misunderstood and overlooked by many people.

“Ang problema, ang alam ng karamihan, heart attack lang. Hindi nila alam na may ibang kondisyon na pwedeng tahimik lang pero delikado,” he said.

One of the most common forms of arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation (AFib) can even go unnoticed for a long time.

“Compatible with life siya. Ibig sabihin, pwedeng nabubuhay ang pasyente nang hindi alam na may arrhythmia na siya,” Segundo added.

With the condition being a “silent” heart disorder, symptoms can go unnoticed. But if left undetected, it may lead to conditions such as:

• Cardiomyopathy or the weakening of your heart muscle

• Cardiac arrest

• Stroke

FIRST LINE OF DETECTION

With more people relying on wearable devices to track their health, doctors say that these gadgets can play a vital role in early screening.

“Sa Pilipinas, hindi pa sila considered na medical devices. Pero malaking tulong sila sa screening,” Segundo said.

“The mere fact that it’s able to detect arrhythmia, that’s helpful already.”

Wearable devices have a built-in photoplethysmography (PPG), which uses green LEDs to measure the changes of blood volume in the skin to calculate heart rate and detect irregular heartbeats.

Sometimes, it also uses an electrocardiogram (ECG), which measures the electrical activity of the heart through the electrodes on the wearable, offering more accuracy than PPG.

But, despite its usefulness, wearable devices could only be reliable when used correctly.

“Mas maraming datos, mas nagiging reliable… kung madalas mong suotin at dapat sakto ang sukat,” he explained.

He added that while may devices have high sensitivity and specificity, often around 90 percent accuracy, users should interpret results cautiously and consult a doctor if abnormalities appear. 

“Doktor po yung nagsasabi ‘nun, hindi yung sa gadget lang.”

SELF-AWARENESS

For PHA Director III and Advocacy Chair Dr. Iris Garcia, self-awareness is the most important tool for detecting heart problems, whether through pulse checking or digital assistance.

“Every heartbeat actually tells a story, and sometimes, it can quietly tells us that something may not be right even before we start to feel any symptoms, she said.

Garcia further emphasized that understanding one’s own body is still essential even with the help of modern technology.

“Being aware is the first step to prevention,” she added.

Experts recommend checking the pulse manually by counting each pulse for 30 seconds then multiply it by 2. The sum will be the heart rate in beats per minute (bpm).

As wearable technology becomes more accessible to the public, doctors hope that these will empower people to take the first step by recognizing irregularities and seeking help early.

“Hindi lahat ng irregular na pintig ay delikado. Pero kung hindi mo ipapa-check, hindi mo rin malalaman,” Segundo said.

Though it helps bridge the gap between awareness and action, it is clear that technology can guide you, but only a medical professional can tell what your heart is truly saying.

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