A friend I know bought an expensive imported smartwatch because they claimed to be monitoring SpO2, Heart Rate along with ECG, and the parameters. In these unprecedented times of COVID-19 people have indeed understood the importance of monitoring their health themselves and keeping a check on these vital parameters. When I asked why he bought a device worth Rs 20,000 which is not even medically accredited, instead of a pocket medical device that measures all these parameters and costs a fraction of the smartwatch, he said he trusts the smartwatch more than the medically graded device because it is what everyone is wearing these days, and moreover these medical devices are for doctors, not for a layman like him.
While there is absolutely no logic to what he said, the dilemma of using an expensive smartwatch over a certified device has been faced by many. Read on to know if you are also falling prey to these expensive fashion fads-
Today Buying a pricey smartwatch is a fashion symbol for everyone around-
When it comes to wearable technology, smartwatches have taken center stage in the last few years. And it doesn’t come cheap, you have to give those extra bucks from your pocket to buy those expensive smartwatches. It is just like the Mob Mentality that if one sets or follows any particular trend, then everyone follows it aimlessly without even knowing the limitations of it. Yes, such smartwatches have their limitations.
What are its Limitations-
Well! smartwatches claim that they examine all your body vitals and that too with full accuracy. Some are not even 80% accurate. Heart rate sensors are highly inaccurate and the method of measuring heart rate itself is flawed. If you have to believe this method, then trust Heart rate monitoring Apps than splurging your money on these watches or bands. The readings are highly affected by the color of your skin or even by the number of hair you have on your skin.
So should you trust these wearable bands/watches to report all those numbers accurately? Maybe not all the time. Wrist-based devices need to do a lot of guesswork in order to count steps and other vitals. One of the most important drawbacks of smartwatches is their addictiveness. It always attracts our attention and from time to time notification can become the reason for distraction. It may work only for a day due to many notifications. If your smartwatch has less battery in the morning, it will ditch you for sure when you need it to be monitoring your health in times of distress.
When it comes to seriously monitor your health, wouldn’t you trust something which even the doctors trust and recommend? Everyone wants to spend their valuable money that works the way it is intended to be. Many research and data show that initially, the accuracy of data might be fine but as the intensity of exercise increases, it gets less accurate. Research conducted in 2019 showed that they are 40.1% inaccurate! In 2018, the University of British Columbia studies showed the accuracy of fitness trackers to be even worse! In another study published in 2017 in the Journal of Personalized Medicine, they found that a branded smartwatch had a 27% margin of error when measuring calories burned.
What Doctor Says-
Talking about the smartwatches, Dr. Deepak Aggarwal, Senior Consultant, Cardiac Surgery, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket said that the smartwatches are not as accurate enough to be used as a vital sign’s measurement device, and should not be used for clinical purposes.
Some smartwatches brands even claim that they measure the complete ECG but the actuality is that it only measures 1 (Single) lead ECG. Such ECH recorders are normally used primarily for basic heart rhythm monitoring, and not for detecting any serious problem in the Heart and that is not enough and sufficient. Actually, it’s risky!!
What if your Single Lead ECG shows everything fine with your Heart, but a serious problem is breeding somewhere else which can only be detected by 12-Lead ECG? Needless to say, when it comes to ECG, 12-Lead ECG is only what the cardiologists trust!!
Need more reasons to trash those fancy watches and bands today and get hold of serious Health Monitoring devices at a fraction of cost, which doctors trust and that is proudly Made in our own India!! Replace it with the SanketLife range of Pocket ECG and Multi-parameter monitors and take control of your health today!!
Sanketlife’s Multivital is the world’s first All In One handheld product-
Sanketlife is medically tested and CDSCO and ISO-13485 certified. It is a 12 lead ECG device that gives a complete 360-degree view of your heart and gives you digital reports ( printable on A4). You can share these reports with esteemed and expert Cardiologists instantly and within 3 minutes you will get his analysis and diagnosis.
Conclusion-
Think about those times when someone in your family is facing discomfort in his heart and is not sure whether it is a Heart Attack or not! Not just ECG and Heart Rate, now monitor Blood Pressure( BP), Blood Oxygen (Spo2), Body temperature that too on an OLED display screen.
And now you must be thinking that with so many features in one device, it will be costly but it is cheaper than you think. It is economical and it gives you lifetime ECG with lifetime battery backup and support. Be a smart buyer and take informed decisions! After All, it’s about your health and you cannot leave it at the mercy of marketing gimmicks!