The American Heart Association has recently published its 2025 statistics update on heart disease and stroke, presenting crucial data. It reveals that heart-related diseases, which are on the increase worldwide, are the primary cause of death in the United States.

The data, published in the Circulation journal, indicates that cardiovascular disease is responsible for thousands of deaths daily in the U.S. The figure is so high that it surpasses the combined total of fatalities from cancer and road accidents.

The report also underlines the growing number of associated kidney disease cases in the U.S and globally. It further provides statistics related to the heart health of Americans:

– Almost 47% of U.S. adults suffer from high blood pressure.
– Around 42% of U.S. adults are obese, and over 72% are classified as having unhealthy weight. For children, these figures are 40% and 20%, respectively.
– About 57% of American adults are living with Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes.

So, can high-quality smartwatches help in this bleak situation? According to Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., FAHA, Chief Medical Officer for Prevention for the American Heart Association, smartwatches can serve as tools to encourage and track healthy habits like physical activity, heart rate during activity, and sleep habits. They can provide health insights and help individuals become more aware of their health/body.

The report also mentions the pivotal role wearable devices can play in reducing the burden of cardiovascular health and associated deaths. For instance, doctors suggest using sleep data provided by wearable devices as part of the AHA’s updated Metrics for Measurement and Quantitative Assessment of CVH.

Most smartwatches, including the Apple Watch, can provide a detailed analysis of an individual’s sleep habits. They offer a breakdown of REM, Core, and Deep sleep stages. Additionally, these devices can detect sleep apnea, a condition linked with serious blood pressure and cardiovascular problems.

Smartwatches can also help combat sedentary behavior, which is associated with an increased risk of fatal cardiovascular diseases. By increasing physical activity levels, these wearables can significantly improve cardiovascular health.

Moreover, smartwatches can track sleep, obesity, and nutrition – all of which are crucial factors tied to heart health. While most smartwatches can’t directly tackle these issues, they provide apps where users can log their food and medicine intake.

However, experts urge users to share the data collected by their smartwatches with medical professionals. This valuable information can help doctors make more informed decisions about their patients’ health. It’s essential to remember that these devices are meant to complement, not replace, professional medical advice.