SPRINGFIELD, OH – For many people, a smartwatch has become a convenient way to keep track of their health throughout the day. But when that technology flags an irregular heartbeat, it can also raise important questions about what is happening inside the heart.

During A-Fib Awareness Month, Mercy Health providers are reminding people that while smartwatch notifications can bring attention to a potential heart rhythm issue, they should not be viewed as a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, or A-fib.

“Smartwatches have given people a new way to notice changes in their heart rhythm,” said Dr. Pradeep Gujja with Mercy Health – Electrophysiology in Springfield and Urbana. “An alert can be a reason to follow up, but it’s important to remember that the device cannot tell you what is causing the irregular rhythm. That requires a medical evaluation.”

Smartwatches are designed to monitor heart rate patterns throughout the day. When a device detects an irregular rhythm, it may send an alert suggesting the possibility of A-fib. However, these devices cannot determine what type of irregular rhythm is present or the clinical significance of that rhythm. Medical testing, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or longer-term cardiac monitoring, is needed to confirm a diagnosis.

“If your watch repeatedly tells you that your heart rhythm may be irregular, it’s worth taking that information seriously,” Gujja said. “We can look at the alerts along with your symptoms and medical history and determine whether additional testing is necessary.”

Mercy Health serves communities across Ohio and Kentucky through a network of hospitals, medical practices and other care sites. Its cardiac specialists provide evaluation and treatment for heart rhythm disorders and other cardiovascular conditions as part of the health system’s coordinated approach to patient care.

A-fib is more than a heart rhythm concern. When the heart beats irregularly, blood flow can become disrupted, increasing the risk of blood clots and stroke. Research shows untreated A-fib can raise a person’s stroke risk by up to five times. Treatment, however, can significantly reduce that risk and may include medication, lifestyle changes or minimally invasive procedures to restore and stabilize the heart’s rhythm.

“The goal is not simply to identify an irregular heartbeat, but to understand why it is happening and whether it puts the patient at risk,” Gujja said. “When A-fib is identified early, we have more opportunities to manage the condition and reduce the risk of complications such as stroke.”

Mercy Health is part of Bon Secours Mercy Health, a nonprofit Catholic health system that operates hospitals and other health care services in the United States and internationally. Locally, Mercy Health focuses on expanding access to coordinated care and improving health outcomes in the communities it serves.

Patients who have questions about heart rhythm changes or who have received repeated smartwatch alerts are encouraged to contact their primary care provider or consult a cardiac specialist. More information and assistance finding a Mercy Health provider are available at mercy.com.