By Dr. Teresa Alasio
Over the last decade, health technology has shifted from clinics into our daily lives. Smartwatches, fitness trackers, continuous glucose monitors, and even sensor-equipped rings are now common accessories. They promise to help us move more, sleep better, and even detect early signs of illness. As a physician, I see tremendous potential in these tools — but also important limitations. Wearable devices can empower patients, but they should be viewed as adjuncts to, not replacements for, medical expertise and self-awareness.
The Benefits: Awareness, Prevention, and Empowerment
1. Real-Time Feedback
One of the greatest strengths of wearables is the ability to provide instant data. Step counts, heart rate, sleep duration — these simple measures raise awareness and can prompt healthier decisions throughout the day. For patients who struggle with motivation, even a gentle reminder to stand or move can make a difference.
2. Early Detection of Disease
Some devices now go beyond basic fitness tracking. Newer smartwatches can detect irregular heart rhythms, measure oxygen saturation, and identify patterns suggestive of sleep apnea. Continuous glucose monitors give patients with diabetes invaluable insight into how meals and activity affect blood sugar. In several cases, wearable alerts have prompted users to seek medical care for conditions like atrial fibrillation that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
3. Personalized Health Guidance
Wearables aggregate data to provide tailored recommendations about exercise, sleep, and recovery. For many patients, this individualization makes wellness goals more achievable. Rather than relying on generic guidelines, they can adjust behavior based on their own physiology. Used appropriately, this can complement physician-guided care and promote adherence to lifestyle changes.
4. Connection and Accountability
The social features of many apps — from sharing progress with friends to joining challenges — create accountability and foster motivation. For families, particularly those supporting older relatives, remote monitoring can offer reassurance. This ability to stay connected adds a layer of support that traditional care cannot always provide.
The Drawbacks: Accuracy, Anxiety, and Privacy
1. Variable Accuracy
Despite sophisticated algorithms, wearable devices are not medical-grade diagnostic tools. Step counts can be thrown off by everyday activities, calorie burn estimates are often unreliable, and heart rate sensors can be influenced by skin tone, body composition, or device placement. These limitations can result in either false reassurance or unnecessary alarm. Patients should view data as a trend rather than an absolute measure.
2. Data Overload and Health Anxiety
While information can be empowering, too much data can also be counterproductive. I have seen patients become anxious over nightly “sleep scores” or minor fluctuations in heart rate variability. In some cases, people sleep worse because they are worried about their sleep tracker results — a phenomenon now known as “orthosomnia.” Technology should not create stress in the very areas it is meant to improve.
3. Privacy and Data Security
Wearables generate enormous amounts of health-related information. Most of this data is stored on company servers, raising important questions: Who owns the data? How is it secured? Could insurers or employers eventually seek access to it? While safeguards exist, breaches and misuse are possible. Patients should be mindful of the privacy policies associated with any device they use.
4. Replacing Intuition with Algorithms
Another subtle drawback is the risk of over-reliance on devices. Health is not simply a number on a screen. Patients may come to trust a “sleep score” over their own sense of restfulness or ignore fatigue because their step goal has not yet been met. Technology should augment, not replace, our innate ability to listen to our bodies.
Striking the Right Balance
Wearable health devices represent an exciting evolution in preventive care. They can encourage healthier habits, provide early warnings, and promote patient engagement. Yet they are not substitutes for professional medical evaluation, nor are they infallible.
As both a physician and an advocate for intentional self-care, I encourage patients to use wearables as guides, not dictators. Let them illuminate patterns, support accountability, and spark conversations with healthcare providers. But do not let them overshadow the importance of professional guidance, self-awareness, and a holistic view of health.
In the end, the goal is not simply to close rings or accumulate data points. The true measure of health lies in sustained well-being — physical, emotional, and social. Wearables can be powerful allies in that pursuit, but only when we remember that technology serves us, not the other way around.
The information presented is meant for educational purposes and not meant as a substitute for medical advice. If you have a specific medical concern, please consult with your medical provider.
Dr. Teresa Alasio is the Owner and Medical Director of Intentional Self Aesthetics, located in Downtown New Canaan. She lives in New Canaan with her family and wears her Apple watch daily.
