How a Smartwatch Helped Detect a Heart Problem
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Smartwatches today can do much more than count steps or show the time. In a surprising medical case, a smartwatch helped detect a serious heart condition in a 76-year-old retired nurse. This story shows how technology can sometimes help spot health problems early—but also reminds us that it shouldn’t replace professional medical advice.
What Happened
The woman started having chest pain that lasted for about two hours. She had just experienced intense emotional stress, which can affect the heart. Since she owned a smartwatch that could take an ECG (a heart rhythm recording), she decided to check her heart.
The ECG on her smartwatch looked different than usual. It showed changes that could be signs of a heart issue. Because of this, she went to the emergency room.
What the Doctors Found
At the hospital, doctors performed several tests:
- A full 12-lead ECG showed new changes in her heart rhythm.
- Her blood test showed high levels of a marker called “troponin T,” which often means there’s heart damage.
- An angiogram (a test to look at the heart’s arteries) showed her arteries were not blocked.
- An ultrasound of the heart (called an echocardiogram) showed part of her heart wasn’t pumping well. It had something called “apical ballooning.”
These signs led doctors to diagnose her with a condition called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as stress cardiomyopathy or “broken heart syndrome.”
What Is Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy?
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy happens when sudden stress—like grief, fear, or even a surprise—causes part of the heart to stop working properly. It’s more common in older women. Symptoms can feel like a heart attack: chest pain, shortness of breath, and changes on ECGs.
The good news is that, with treatment, the heart usually recovers within weeks.
How Was She Treated?
The woman was given common heart medications: a beta-blocker and an ACE inhibitor. These help the heart rest and heal. At her 6-week follow-up, she felt much better. Her heart’s pumping function was back to normal.
Should You Rely on a Smartwatch?
Smartwatches with ECG functions can be helpful. They can:
- Track your heart rhythm
- Record unusual heartbeats
- Help you notice changes compared to past readings
But there are limits. These ECGs usually only show one view of the heart, while a full ECG at a hospital shows 12 different views. Also, smartwatches are not approved for diagnosing heart attacks or stress cardiomyopathy.
So while smartwatches can alert you to a problem, they can’t replace a doctor or hospital tests.
When to Get Help
Whether you have a smartwatch or not, take these symptoms seriously:
- Chest pain, especially if it lasts more than a few minutes
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or fainting
- Unusual fatigue after stress or emotion
If you have any of these, seek medical help immediately—even if your smartwatch doesn’t show anything wrong.
Final Thoughts
This case shows that smartwatches can give helpful clues about your heart, especially if you’re familiar with your usual readings. But they should never replace medical advice. If you feel something is wrong, trust your instincts and get checked out.
Technology is a great tool, but your best protection is still listening to your body and seeing a doctor when something feels off.