Smartwatch health features expand beyond step tracking

Smartwatch technology is increasingly being utilized for health monitoring beyond simple step counting. While a truly non-invasive smartwatch capable of continuous, direct blood glucose monitoring does not yet exist, some devices attempt to estimate glucose levels using indirect biomarkers such as heart rate variability, skin temperature, pulse wave analysis, and electrodermal activity.

Other existing smartwatch features include blood oxygen level tracking, which can be useful for monitoring lung conditions between medical appointments, and irregular heartbeat detection. Additionally, fall detection serves as a critical safety feature for individuals experiencing fatigue or numbness, provided the setting is manually enabled by the user.