Systemic Consequences of Pulmonary Hypertension and Right-Sided Heart Failure | Circulation
The Smartwatches That Can Predict Parkinson's Disease
It's hoped that the data collected by smartwatches could soon help to reduce the risk of complications during surgery (Credit: Getty Images)
Smartwatches gather vast amounts of data about our physiology. Now their technology is being harnessed like never before.
As the chief anaesthesiologist at CHUV University Hospital, Patrick Schoettker is all too aware of the complications which can follow a lengthy operation under general anaesthetic.
Rapid blood loss from the surgical site can send the patient into shock, triggering sudden and dangerous dips in blood flow through the body. But patients can also develop severe lung problems after many hours of deep sedation, a complication which accounts for a quarter of all deaths within the first six days of surgery.
Such tragedies sometimes occur due to underlying frailties in the patient's physiology which had gone undetected. But what if hospitals had a quick, low-cost way of screening for them ahead of major procedures?
Schoettker and his colleagues are conducting a trial which involves fitting patients with a smartwatch known as the Masimo W1 several weeks ahead of their pre-operation consultation. The data it has collected is then used to form an assessment of their state of health.
The W1 provides continuous readings of heart rate, respiration rate, blood oxygen, pulse rate and even hydration levels, all to medical-grade accuracy. Schoettker describes the layers of information as being akin to a "digital twin", and believes it could help save lives.
"We plan to use this pre-operatively acquired data to predict possible pre or postoperative complications and act on them in a preventative way," says Schoettker.
This is just one example of how the booming smartwatch market – some analysts have predicted that more than 400 million devices will be sold worldwide by 2027 – is opening up a bold new era of preventative health. Masimo, Apple, Samsung, Withings, FitBit and Polar have all developed watches capable of recording an extraordinary amount of data, allowing measurements such as sleep quality, blood pressure, heart rhythm variation and blood oxygen saturation levels – a marker of how well the heart and lungs are functioning – to be tracked in real-time.
Some smartwatches can identify the early signs of Parkinson's disease up to seven years before it is diagnosed (Credit: Getty Images)
Gosia Wamil, a consultant cardiologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London, says that this information is already helping to alert doctors to potential health problems, enabling them to act sooner.
"More and more patients are willing to use their smartwatches to acquire some data, and then bring the printouts and results to us," says Wamil. "And then we can investigate further and confirm those abnormalities."
So far, some of the biggest applications have been related to heart health. In April this year, one study found that smartwatch-acquired electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements – readings of the heart's electrical activity – could reliably identify extra heart beats in otherwise healthy 50 to 70 year olds. This can be a warning sign of a much more serious condition, atrial fibrillation, where the heart starts beating irregularly or accelerating out of control without warning.
It's hoped that the data collected by smartwatches could soon help to reduce the risk of complications during surgery (Credit: Getty Images)
Other research has found that AI algorithms can use Apple Watch ECG readings to identify people with a low ejection fraction – the amount of blood that your heart pumps each time it beats, which can be a key warning sign of heart failure – with 88% accuracy. Wamil says that this combination of machine learning platforms and smartwatch-derived data is likely to prove revolutionary for patients with all kinds of heart conditions.
"In cardiology clinics, we see patients who complain of palpitations, and we used to have those tapes which we could stick on their chest and record their ECG over 24 hours," says Wamil. "Very frequently, patients may not have symptoms during those 24 hours. But with smartwatches, whenever the patient experiences symptoms, they can press a button on their watch, acquire an ECG and show that to us."
Wamil says this is already leading to preventative treatment, enabling cardiologists to prescribe blood thinner tablets to patients with signs of an irregular heartbeat, to help prevent strokes. She is also interested in whether this data can be used to prevent some of the cardiovascular complications experienced by many type 2 diabetes patients.
It's hoped that the data collected by smartwatches could soon help to reduce the risk of complications during surgery (Credit: Getty Images)
"The reason why people with diabetes have shorter lives is because they are much more at risk of developing heart problems," says Wamil. "We hope that in the future, this data could be used to detect early signs to alert the patient and doctor about their future risk of heart attacks and strokes."
But many of the applications of smartwatches could extend far beyond the heart. In July 2023, researchers at Cardiff University published a study using data from more than 100,000 people, who were given a smartwatch to wear for a week. The results showed that it was possible to identify individuals with signs of Parkinson's disease up to seven years before their clinical diagnosis. This was done by detecting subtle abnormalities in their walking patterns, as measured by the watch's motion sensors.
Cynthia Sandor, who led the study, believes it could be possible to pinpoint these signs even sooner through combining motion data with other smartwatch measurements such as sleep quality, which is known to be disturbed in people who develop the disease.
"In Parkinson's, diagnosis is preceded by a long phase where signs such as subtle motor changes become apparent," says Sandor. "We found that the most predictive feature was a slowing of movement during light physical activity, too subtle to be noticed by individuals themselves."
Sandor believes this information could soon be used to recruit individuals to clinical trials. One of the theories for why effective treatments for Parkinson's have proven so elusive is because patients are diagnosed at a stage where significant brain damage has already occurred, and it may be easier to slow or even reverse the disease at an earlier stage. "We hope that early screening tools based on smartwatch data can identify people early, potentially enabling neuroprotective treatment trials to be successful," she says.
It is also hoped that smartwatches could one day soon help people living with chronic conditions such as epilepsy, through providing them with early warning signs that a seizure is about to occur. Falls and serious accidents resulting from seizures are known risk factors for those living with epilepsy.
"The uncertainty of when seizures might occur is one of the most difficult aspects of living with epilepsy," says Aileen McGonigal of the Queensland Brain Institute. "Seizure forecasting is however still at an early stage."
McGonigal is interested in whether a special prototype version of the Empatica smartwatch designed for research can aid with seizure prediction. In an ongoing research project, she is applying AI algorithms to a combination of data streams. These include heart rate variability, skin temperature, body movement patterns and changes in the electrical conductance of the skin due to sweating, which reflects alterations in the body's autonomic nervous system. Each of these parameters can be measured by the watch.
"We aim to analyse patterns in the hours leading up to seizures," says McGonigal. "Ideally epilepsy researchers and clinicians would like for patients to be able to forecast when seizures are more likely to occur, which might allow tailoring of treatment, including variable doses of medication and adaption of daily activities to reduce risk of seizure-related falls and injury," she says.
But while there is considerable excitement about what the combination of powerful AI algorithms and increasingly accurate wearable measurements might be able to achieve, some doctors are also cautious about the potential for false positives. There are concerns that the overuse of smartwatches could lead to an increase in patient anxiety, as well as testing the resources of already overstretched health systems.
Some smartwatches can perform an ECG on demand (Credit: Getty Images)
"Technology is helping medicine in many different ways," says Jeremy Smelt, a consultant thoracic surgeon at St George's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. "One of them is the early detection of problems, but it can also save lives. As with all technologies, smartwatches have to be tried and tested. False positives will cause anxiety and may end up in people going to the GP when they don't need to. But they are also very interesting for those with health conditions and could save health services money through picking things up early," he says.
But as smartwatches become even more sophisticated, and manufacturers figure out more and more ways to obtain quantifiable data about the human body, the list of potential preventative health applications is only going to increase.
Masimo CEO Joe Kiani is already focusing on the next frontier for his company's smartwatches: being able to predict an asthma attack.
"We have a measurement for respiratory effort," says Kiani. "We can tell when you're struggling to breathe because respiration rate increases, pulse rate increases… all trying to make up for the lack of oxygen that you're getting," he says. "What's crazy is that for the past 50 to 60 years, all we've had at home is a thermometer to help you decide what to do [when you're sick]. Now we're going to have this rich set of information which can help people to stay out of the emergency department and still get the right care."
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Can Loud Firecracker Noise Harm Your Heart? Doctor Shares Tips For Care
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated with illuminated lamps and colourful firecrackers, symbolising the drive to dispel darkness and invite prosperity. Fireworks add an exhilarating visual element to the festivities, yet the bursts are accompanied by significant noise and air pollution. While these traditions are joyful, the intense noise can impact more than just the environment. Studies show it can have immediate and lasting effects on cardiovascular health, especially for those with pre-existing heart conditions.
To understand how loud firecracker-noise can harm your heart, OnlyMyHealth interacted with Dr Priya Palimkar, Senior Consultant — Cardiologist, Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Pune.
Mechanisms of Noise-Induced Cardiac StressDr Palimkar highlights the direct relationship between loud noises and cardiac stress, stating, "Loud noises can trigger a stress response in the body, characterised by the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. This response can have several effects on the cardiovascular system." Some of these effects include:
Increased Heart Rate - The body may react to sudden loud noises with a reflex action leading to tachycardia, or an elevated heart rate.
Elevated Blood Pressure - Loud noises cause the release of stress hormones, which can lead to vasoconstriction, temporarily raising blood pressure levels.
Impact on Blood Vessels - Chronic exposure to loud noise is linked to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), likely due to prolonged stress responses and hormone fluctuations affecting vascular health.
Also read: Tips to Safeguard Your Eyes from Cracker Burns In The Festive Season
Clinical Evidence Linking Noise and Heart HealthDr Palimkar shares that studies have shown a connection between prolonged noise exposure and cardiovascular issues, including hypertension, heart failure, and even myocardial infarction (heart attack). She explains, "While these studies focus on chronic exposure, such as living near airports or busy highways, even short but intense noise episodes—like those during festive seasons—can be risky, especially for people with pre-existing heart conditions."
The evidence indicates that when the body perceives a noise as a threat, it triggers a series of physiological changes that place stress on the heart and blood vessels. Repeated or high-intensity exposures can make this stress worse over time, sometimes even triggering cardiovascular events.
Special Considerations for At-Risk PopulationsSome populations are more vulnerable to the impact of loud noise on heart health. These include:
Individuals with Pre-existing Heart Conditions - For people with ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, or heart failure, the effects of loud noises can be more pronounced.
The Elderly - Age reduces the body's ability to tolerate additional stress on the heart, making older adults more susceptible to noise-induced cardiac strain.
Those with Anxiety or Sound Sensitivity - Individuals with anxiety disorders or hyperacusis (an increased sensitivity to everyday sounds) may experience heightened distress from loud noises, which can strain the cardiovascular system further.
Also read: Crucial Steps To Take If Heart Disease Runs In Your Family
Preventive Measures to Protect Heart HealthTo minimise the potential risks associated with loud noises during festive seasons, Dr Palimkar recommends several practical tips:
Use Ear Protection - Simple devices like earplugs or earmuffs can reduce the intensity of noise exposure, offering immediate protection.
Maintain Distance - Standing farther from the source of loud noises can lessen the impact on your ears and heart.
Opt for Quieter Fireworks - Choosing low-noise fireworks provides a festive atmosphere without compromising heart health.
Awareness and Education - Spreading awareness about the risks of loud noises and promoting quieter celebration options can foster safer, heart-conscious celebrations.
ConclusionWhile Diwali traditions play a significant role in cultural celebrations, it is essential to balance enjoyment with safety. "The loud noises from crackers can be risky for heart health, especially for those with existing health issues. Additionally, chemicals released from these fireworks can harm heart health too," Dr Palimkar advises. By taking simple precautions and spreading awareness within communities, we can all celebrate in a way that honours tradition while safeguarding our well-being.
This Diwali, as we welcome the festival with lights and joy, let's remember that a few mindful adjustments can keep our hearts safe and our spirits high.
DisclaimerAll possible measures have been taken to ensure accuracy, reliability, timeliness and authenticity of the information; however Onlymyhealth.Com does not take any liability for the same. Using any information provided by the website is solely at the viewers' discretion. In case of any medical exigencies/ persistent health issues, we advise you to seek a qualified medical practitioner before putting to use any advice/tips given by our team or any third party in form of answers/comments on the above mentioned website.
Heart Disease
Cardiovascular disease or heart disease are a class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels (arteries and veins). While the term technically refers to any disease that affects the cardiovascular system (as used in MeSH C14), it is usually used to refer to those related to atherosclerosis (arterial disease). These conditions usually have similar causes, mechanisms, and treatments.
Cardiovascular diseases remain the biggest cause of deaths worldwide, though over the last two decades, cardiovascular mortality rates have declined in many high-income countries but have increased at an astonishingly fast rate in low- and middle-income countries. The percentage of premature deaths from cardiovascular disease range from 4% in high-income countries to 42% in low-income countries. More than 17 million people died from cardiovascular diseases in 2008. Each year, heart disease kills more Americans than cancer. In recent years, cardiovascular risk in women has been increasing and has killed more women than breast cancer. (PDAY) showed vascular injury accumulates from adolescence, making primary prevention efforts necessary from childhood.
By the time that heart problems are detected, the underlying cause (atherosclerosis) is usually quite advanced, having progressed for decades. There is therefore increased emphasis on preventing atherosclerosis by modifying risk factors, such as healthy eating, exercise, and avoidance of smoking.
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