Heart Health

Smart watch alerts about heart health

Ask the doctor

By , Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Arm of a person wearing a smart watch displaying activity and heart rhythm. My new smart watch has notifications for various heart-related factors. Do you recommend using these?

Some smart watches can also alert you to breathing disruptions during sleep — a possible sign of obstructive sleep apnea and a risk factor for both coronary artery disease and afib. Often, a bed partner will notice loud snoring (a hallmark of sleep apnea). But if you sleep alone, this feature could come in handy.

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About the Author

photo of Christopher P. Cannon, MD

Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing

Dr. Christopher P. Cannon is editor in chief of the Harvard Heart Letter. He is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, and senior physician in the Preventive Cardiology section of the Cardiovascular Division at … See Full Bio
View all posts by Christopher P. Cannon, MD

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