"Empowering Heart Health: The Rise of Wearable Devices and Smartwatches"

Researchers in the UK are exploring the use of Garmin Venu 2 smartwatches and a dedicated app to conduct the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) for cardiovascular health remotely. The study aims to make the test shorter and digitize it for home use, potentially reducing the need for frequent hospital visits. Initial results suggest that shortening the test to one minute has no detrimental effect on its accuracy, and patients are more likely to perform the test regularly at home. This innovation could provide more representative health data and reduce the frequency of in-person hospital reviews for conditions like pulmonary hypertension, allowing clinicians to focus their time and expertise more effectively.