A Simple Metric from Your Wearable Can Predict Heart Health Risks
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Introduction
In recent years, wearable fitness trackers like Fitbits and smartwatches have become common tools to help people monitor their daily activity and health. They track steps, heart rate, and sleep patterns—providing users with useful insights into their lifestyle. But beyond counting steps or checking heart rate, can this data actually tell us something important about our heart health?
A new study suggests it can. Researchers have introduced a simple yet powerful measure called Daily Heart Rate Per Step (DHRPS). This new metric combines two familiar numbers—heart rate and step count—to better assess your cardiovascular health. It may help identify people at higher risk of heart-related problems earlier, using data from the devices many of us already wear every day.
Understanding a New Measure: DHRPS
DHRPS is calculated by dividing your average daily heart rate by the number of steps you take in a day. It gives an idea of how hard your heart is working in relation to your activity levels. A higher DHRPS means your heart is beating faster despite lower physical activity, which may signal lower fitness or underlying health issues.
Why DHRPS Matters
This new metric was studied in nearly 7,000 people who wore Fitbits for extended periods. Their heart rate and step data were compared with their health records. Researchers found that people with high DHRPS were more likely to have health conditions like:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Heart attacks
- Blocked arteries
In fact, those with the highest DHRPS had up to three times the rate of some heart-related diseases compared to those with the lowest DHRPS.
Better Than Just Steps or Heart Rate Alone
Step counts and heart rate have always been seen as important indicators of health. However, looking at them separately may not give the full picture. This study found that DHRPS had stronger links with heart disease risk than just counting steps or checking heart rate alone.
For example, someone who walks very little but has a high heart rate might have a high DHRPS score. This could mean their body is under more stress, even though they aren’t physically active. On the other hand, someone who walks a lot and maintains a lower heart rate might have a low DHRPS, which is linked to better cardiovascular health.
Useful for All Ages
Interestingly, DHRPS was useful across different age groups. Even middle-aged people (from age 35 onwards) with high DHRPS showed higher chances of heart-related conditions. This makes it a potentially helpful early warning sign—one that can prompt people to make changes before serious issues develop.
Easier and More Consistent Than Lab Tests
Cardiac stress tests in hospitals are one way to assess heart health, but many people don’t follow up on them. Wearables, on the other hand, are used daily and can gather real-time data over long periods. This makes DHRPS a low-cost and high-compliance way to track heart health risk.
Takeaway
DHRPS is a simple number anyone with a wearable can track. A high DHRPS may be a sign that your heart is working harder than it should be for the amount of activity you're doing. Over time, this could increase the risk of chronic conditions.
As wearable technology becomes more common, DHRPS may become a useful tool for spotting heart health problems early—giving people a chance to take control of their health through lifestyle changes and early medical advice.