Is health tracking worth it?
It’s now possible to track our activity and health with apps on our phone, or wearable devices such as smart watches, bands, and rings. From tracking our steps to monitoring our sleep, there are many ways of connecting with our health with these technologies. In this article, I explore some of the different types of health trackers available, and how you can use them to understand and support your health.
What can health trackers measure?
There are many parts of your health that you can use a health tracker or app for. This includes:
- tracking your physical activity (such as steps)
- tracking your weight and diet
- monitoring your sleep
- measuring your heart rate
- tracking your menstrual cycle
- planning a pregnancy
- monitoring mood and stress levels
Wearable devices usually have sensors that are able to measure things like movement and your heart rate. Some health trackers need information from you. For example, a period tracker needs the date of your last period. It can then estimate when your next period and when ovulation may happen. You can also log symptoms you’ve had into health trackers.
How can health tracking help me?
If you’re interested in understanding more about your health, you might find health trackers helpful. For example, if you want to see how well you’re sleeping, you can use an app or wearable device while you sleep.
If you want to increase your physical activity, you might find it useful to use apps and wearables that track your steps. Brisk walking is a great way to get some physical activity. You can set goals for yourself to reach a certain number of steps. Some tracking apps provide personalised lifestyle tips you might find helpful.
There are many activity and fitness trackers, and evidence shows that they can help to improve fitness and even help with losing weight.
Health trackers may also help with tracking your general health and symptoms, and identifying any patterns that might suggest something might be wrong. Some studies have shown certain health trackers are able to detect symptoms of heart conditions and COVID-19.
It’s important to remember that commercial health trackers and apps should not be relied on for medical advice. It’s best not to treat their measurements as 100 per cent accurate. Health tracking devices also can’t diagnose health conditions. If you have health concerns, it’s best to see a GP. If you wish to, you can share information from health trackers with your GP or health professional if relevant.
When should you speak to your GP?
Health trackers can help you notice patterns or changes in your health, but they cannot diagnose medical conditions. If your tracker highlights a change that is persistent, unexpected, or accompanied by symptoms, it may be worth discussing this with your GP.
Examples include:
- Heart-related symptoms: a persistent increase in resting heart rate, irregular heart rhythm notifications, palpitations, dizziness, unexplained breathlessness, chest discomfort, or episodes of fainting. Wearable devices may help identify possible heart rhythm abnormalities, including atrial fibrillation, but any concerning symptoms should be medically assessed.
- Menstrual health changes: periods that become significantly heavier, more painful, irregular, bleeding between periods, or periods with symptoms such as fatigue or dizziness. Tracking apps can help identify trends, but persistent changes should be reviewed by a healthcare professional.
- Weight changes: unexplained weight loss or gain, particularly if it occurs without intentional dietary or lifestyle changes. Unintentional weight loss can sometimes be associated with underlying medical conditions and should be discussed with your GP.
Bringing information from your health tracker to your appointment may help provide additional context. But your GP will consider this alongside your symptoms, medical history and any investigations that may be needed.
What is the best health tracker?
The best health tracker for you will depend on what you want to use it for and your preferences. For example, if you want to always wear a device such as a watch or just want to use an app on your phone. Other things to consider include costs as you may need to pay to get more features.
You may find it helpful to read reviews of health trackers or look at rankings from experts.
Health trackers such as apps and wearables may be useful if you’re interested in daily monitoring of your health. They’re usually easy to use and may help you with motivation, setting goals, and supporting healthy habits.
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