Can Wearable Health Tech Trigger Anxiety and Harm Overall Health? Study Sheds Light

Using wearable devices like smartwatches to track health data and symptoms is intended to help individuals monitor their health and promptly address symptoms, aiming for positive health outcomes. However, for people with atrial fibrillation (Afib), using such devices to monitor heart rate and alert wearers of irregular heartbeats might not be as beneficial as expected.

A new study published in the Journal of the

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American Heart Association found that wearable devices can significantly amplify anxiety and increase healthcare usage among Afib patients.

The study involved 172 patients from UNC Health with a prior diagnosis of Afib who completed a survey and had their information linked to electronic health records. About half of the participants used wearable devices, and their data was compared to those without such devices.

The researchers discovered that Afib patients using wearables were more likely to be preoccupied with their heart symptoms, express concerns about their Afib treatment, and utilize healthcare resources more frequently than those without wearables. Additionally, healthcare providers and clinics were affected, as wearable users were more likely to contact the clinic and send messages to their healthcare providers.

The result showed that 1 in 5 Afib patients using wearables experienced intense fear and anxiety in response to irregular rhythm notifications from their devices. A similar proportion routinely contacted their doctors when ECG results were abnormal or indicative of possible Afib.

“Given the significant increase in use of wearable devices in this patient group and the population in general. We believe prospective studies and randomized trials are needed to understand the net effects of wearables – including their alerts – on patients’ healthcare use and psychological well‐being, as well as the downstream effects on providers, hospitals, and health systems” said Lindsay Rosman, assistant professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

Reference: Christopher C. Cheung,Mussa Saad,Wearable Devices and Psychological Wellbeing—Are We Overthinking It?, Journal of the American Heart Association, 0, 0, (undefined). /doi/10.1161/JAHA.124.035962