Why Wearables Mistakes Are A Health Risk
QHHL 
Oct 31 2019
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0 QHHL
Wearable devices can be a simple way to take health measurements. However, technology isn’t infallible and here’s how their mistakes can increase your health risk.
Wearable devices are extremely popular. Not only do they allow you to use the latest technology. They’re also a good way to measure health risk and do health assessment activities. Wearables can monitor and record a few different health measurements. However, their accuracy isn’t always a top priority with their creators. And this can have some serious effects on your health measurements.
Wearables are basically any device that you can wear that takes health measurements. These take on a variety of forms. There are now devices that will monitor and record measurements like sleeping patterns, heart rate and blood pressure. And there are even more exotic devices that evaluate blood pressure and glucose by tracking changes in blood color.
The real problem with these devices is that accuracy isn’t a top priority. And this affects all devices in some way, not just the more unusual ones. Some of these accuracy problems can encourage mistakes in your health assessments. This is a serious problem that may hide important changes in your health risk.
Heart rate and pulse rate isn’t the same thing. Unfortunately, many wearables seem to indicate otherwise. Wearables measure heart rate with an electrocardiogram (ECG) test or optically using photoplethismogram (PPG). ECG uses sensors to measure the electrical signals that tell the heart to beat. However, PPG sensors use light to monitor the flow of blood through the veins.
To say that these two tests are measuring the same thing is inaccurate. An ECG measure heart rate, or the beat of your heart as it pumps blood through your body. PPG on the other hand measures the pulse of blood through your veins. Technically speaking, this is your pulse rate. And although these two measurements are often equal, this isn’t always the case. When these two measurements don’t match, it can be a crucial indication of some very serious conditions. And if your wearable doesn’t catch that change, it may be a risk to your life.
The difference between heart rate and pulse rate can severely affect the accuracy of most wearables. When it comes to good health, your heart rate and pulse rate are both important. However, it’s more common to find wearables that track pulse rate rather than heart rate. The reason for this is because the necessary technology is more affordable.
Several studies have shown that wrist worn wearables can be variable in terms of accuracy. One study tested the most popular wearables such as the Apple Watch (Apple), Fitbit Charge HR (Fitbit), Mio Alpha (Mio Global), and Basis Peak (Basis). The researchers found that all the wearables had variable accuracy when measuring heart rate during exercise. Some overestimated and others underestimated heart rate when compared to the results from a chest strap-based monitor. Basically, they were more accurate at rest than during exercise, which limits their value. And these heart rate inaccuracies repeated in participants who had chronic diseases too, which is even more troubling.
So, if you use a wearable to track your heart rate during exercise, you’re probably getting inaccurate results. And this could be important for your health overall and for the effectiveness of your workout.
The inaccuracy in these devices can be because of the technology. The most accurate technology is usually the most expensive. So, if you’re buying a mid-range wearable, then chances are you aren’t getting the best tech with it. But that isn’t the only reason why these devices can be inaccurate. Simply taking measurements isn’t enough to avoid errors. There are two other factors that influence accuracy:
All devices come with instructions for taking measurements. Following the procedure exactly is important for getting accurate measurements. So, if you’re taking measurements quickly and can’t be bothered to follow the full instructions, then your results probably contain errors.
This refers to how the device takes the health measurement and it defines the limitations of the device. Devices that use PPG to measure the pulse wave suffer from significant variability because the pulse wave itself is variable. And this can contribute significantly to total inaccuracy.
Most wearables tend to be more accurate during rest and less while exercising. However, designing strategies to diminish errors in a range of specific situations can be difficult and frustrating. But you don’t necessarily need to give up your wearable.
Instead, you need to be aware of the limitations of these devices. If you’re young and healthy, these mistakes probably aren’t too much of a problem. However, if you have chronic diseases, then you probably need to monitor your health more closely. And that means that accurate measurements are absolutely essential. So, use your wearables but don’t rely on them. Instead, use a range of technologies and techniques to ensure that you’re getting accurate resolve. This will give you peace of mind when it comes to assessing your health risk.
If you’re concerned about a health risk, try using HomeLab to keep track of your condition and any preventative measures you take. And if you see signs of a significant problem, you should check with your doctor as soon as possible.
Keywords: health risk