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Ebersberg doctors explain: This is how the smartwatch saves lives

2022-05-02T09:32:04.709Z


Ebersberg doctors explain: This is how the smartwatch saves lives Created: 05/02/2022Updated: 05/02/2022 11:15 am Regularly looking at so-called wearables on the wrist can have health benefits, say Prof. Dr. Martin Schmidt (left), Chief Physician of Cardiology at the Ebersberg District Clinic and Dr. Daniel Plecity, Senior Physician and Nutritional Expert in Internal Medicine. © Kreisklinik Mor


Ebersberg doctors explain: This is how the smartwatch saves lives

Created: 05/02/2022Updated: 05/02/2022 11:15 am

Regularly looking at so-called wearables on the wrist can have health benefits, say Prof. Dr.

Martin Schmidt (left), Chief Physician of Cardiology at the Ebersberg District Clinic and Dr.

Daniel Plecity, Senior Physician and Nutritional Expert in Internal Medicine.

© Kreisklinik

More and more people are using so-called wearables – small computer systems that are worn directly on the body.

Here doctors from the district clinic explain the benefits of the clever helpers.

Ebersberg

- Doctors have been testing for some time how the smart leisure helpers can also be used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

The possibilities are explained by Prof. Dr.

Martin Schmidt, Chief Physician of Cardiology at the Ebersberg District Clinic, and Dr.

Daniel Plecity, Senior Physician and Nutritional Expert in Internal Medicine.

They both wear smartwatches themselves.

What are your experiences?

Plecity: I exercise a lot and find it helpful that the device suggests workout plans for the day.

In addition, I can use the measured values ​​to assess my physical condition.

The smartwatch knows whether I've gotten enough sleep, it reminds me to drink enough liquid, it measures the oxygen saturation of the blood and all these values ​​say something about whether my "batteries" are charged and I'm efficient.

If not, I should take countermeasures.

Schmidt: I always wear the smartwatch during the day, especially when doing sports, and let it record and analyze my daily activities.

I have set my daily goals for the “Move”, “Exercise” and “Stand” features.

During the day, the smartwatch sends push notifications, which I have already managed to do,

Have you ever checked how accurate the records are?

Schmidt: Yes, I checked the distance measurement on a 400-meter track in the sports stadium and found a deviation of around ten percent.

When it comes to the information on calorie consumption, you certainly have to reckon with a deviation of ten to 20 percent.

However, one value is very reliable, as studies have shown: the heart rhythm.

An electrode is integrated in my model, which enables a one-channel ECG recording.

In addition, an optical sensor measures the heart rate and can use algorithms to detect an irregular pulse.

Atrial fibrillation can also be easily recognized in this way.

Does that mean wearing a wearable could help prevent serious heart disease?

Schmidt: Yes, smartwatches with a good ECG function.

They may also detect other heart rhythm problems, such as heart failure.

During such "pauses" the person concerned often faints.

The implantation of a cardiac pacemaker would possibly be the solution to the health problem.

There are currently many clinical trials testing the medical use of wearables, and we are involved in one of them.

It is about early detection of atrial fibrillation compared to conventional ECG.

Plecity: You have to distinguish between different types of wearables.

Thanks to their complex functions, smartwatches are all-rounders, but there are also special wearables, such as smart patches for diabetics.

These are plasters with integrated sensors that measure the blood sugar level.

In the future it will be like this

that the smart helpers will indirectly administer the required amount of insulin if necessary.

There are also heart rate or sports watches, fitness and activity trackers, which have different functions depending on the model.

In addition to pulse and heart rate, some devices also monitor sleep rhythm, physical activity and calorie consumption.

Which patients could benefit?

Plecity: For example patients with a metabolic syndrome.

Several diseases are summarized under the term: obesity, high blood pressure as well as sugar and lipid metabolism disorders.

The cause often lies in the way of life: Too high calorie intake and too little exercise.

Does that mean a fitness tracker could help patients change their behavior?

Plecity: Yes exactly.

In no way does it replace the doctor, but it can provide support.

As a preventive measure, I recommend anyone who suffers from obesity, arthrosis or high blood pressure to use a wearable that warns if you have been lazy, because exercise is good therapy for all of the diseases mentioned.

If you are overweight, however, a few steps a day are not enough.

Our cardiovascular system needs movement stress, 150 minutes of physical activity per week and therefore an increase in heart rate in order to be able to build muscle.

And the more muscle mass there is, the more calories are burned and weight loss is possible.

What conclusions do you draw from your personal experiences and study results?

Schmidt: In cardiology, we will increase monitoring in the outpatient area, i.e. the regular measurement of relevant values ​​such as heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, blood pressure and weight in heart patients in order to be able to counteract problems in good time.

A telemedical study by the Charité in Berlin (TIM-HF study) has shown that this can reduce both the number of hospital stays and the mortality rate of patients with cardiac insufficiency.

In addition, our Heart Failure Unit (HFU) was certified in February.

The aim of this unit is more intensive care for patients with severe heart diseases by a specially trained team of doctors and nurses,

in cooperation with the German Heart Center in Munich and the Center for Heart Transplants at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University.

Four beds are available for this, two in the HFU and two in the intensive care unit.

Another goal is networking with colleagues in private practice, so that patients receive the best possible aftercare even after their inpatient stay in the district clinic.

Wearables can again provide support here, because the patients' everyday diet and exercise behavior contributes significantly to the success of the therapy.

Sybille Föll conducted the interview

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Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-05-02

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