Smartwatches are evolving into powerful health companions, going far beyond counting steps or telling the time. These wearable devices can now track heart rate, monitor sleep, measure blood oxygen levels, and even provide early warnings for serious health issues.
One striking example is Amanda Faulkner, a consultant psychiatrist from New Zealand. During a busy summer, Amanda felt unusually tired and warm. She assumed it was due to the heat or perimenopause and continued her demanding work, managing over 60 patients.
But her new Apple Watch kept alerting her to a high resting heart rate. Normally around 55 beats per minute, her heart rate had jumped into the 90s. At first, Amanda dismissed the alerts, thinking the device might be faulty. She was fit and healthy, having recently gone hiking.
However, the daily notifications persisted. Eventually, Amanda decided to see her doctor. That decision likely saved her life.
Tests revealed she had acute myeloid leukemia, a rare and aggressive blood cancer. Doctors said a delay of just two more days could have been fatal.
Amanda’s story shows how smartwatches can act as early warning tools. While not medical devices, they can encourage users to seek professional help when something seems off. Apple notes that its health features are designed to support—not replace—medical care. A high heart rate, for instance, could point to several issues, from infections to allergic reactions, all of which benefit from early detection.
Amanda is now undergoing chemotherapy and preparing for a stem cell transplant. She remains positive and deeply thankful for the smartwatch that prompted her to get checked.
Her husband, Mike, said her story has inspired others to take their health seriously. Many friends, family, and even strangers have acted on health concerns or bought smartwatches after hearing what happened. Amanda, though unable to work at the moment, continues to support others through shared experiences, which she finds fulfilling.
While smartwatches are helpful, they do have limits. They aren’t medical-grade devices and can sometimes miss signs or give false alarms. Factors like skin tone, movement, and how the watch is worn can affect accuracy. Privacy is also a concern, as sensitive health data is stored digitally.
Still, these devices are changing the way people think about health. Amanda’s experience is a powerful reminder that paying attention to even small alerts can lead to life-saving decisions.
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