Heart Health
Is a new tool for fitness research already in your own pocket?
Real-world tracking of exercise habits with a smartphone may inform future cardiovascular research.
 Image: © Halfpoint/Thinkstock
Nearly two-thirds of Americans own a smartphone, which comes in handy for instant access to all sorts of information, from driving directions to medical advice. According to a Pew Research Center report, 62% of people have used their phone to research a health condition.
But smartphones can also collect personal health data, aided by apps that track your activity level throughout the day. Because activity and fitness levels are so closely tied to heart health, an accurate assessment of these factors may offer new clues for preventing heart disease.
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