As someone over 80, I’ve been fortunate to maintain good health—no ongoing issues with my heart, lungs, or blood. But many of my friends aren’t as lucky. They manage defibrillation concerns, serious sleep disorders, blood clots, and the risks of heart attacks or strokes. For them, managing health isn’t a casual task; it’s a full-time job requiring constant monitoring. That’s where mobile health (mHealth) devices could play a significant role—if they can truly meet these needs. While these technologies are making strides, they still have to overcome significant hurdles to provide real value to those who need them most.
What’s Available Today?
Mobile health devices have come a long way, and the advancements are impressive. Right now, devices like the Apple Watch Series 9 and Fitbit offer features like heart rate monitoring, electrocardiograms (ECGs), and even blood oxygen tracking. These capabilities are particularly helpful for people trying to monitor their general fitness and heart health. For instance, some wearables can alert you to irregular heart rhythms—like atrial fibrillation (AFib)—a condition that increases stroke risk.
For those dealing with serious health issues, this is a good starting point, but not quite enough. Currently available mHealth devices are still mostly reactive. They can alert you after something unusual happens, like a spike in your heart rate, but what about real-time, continuous monitoring that catches problems before they become emergencies? This is where the gap between available technology and critical medical needs becomes evident.
For my friends managing heart conditions or sleep apnea, today’s devices don’t yet offer the level of continuous monitoring and immediate reporting they need. For example, sleep trackers can identify sleep disturbances, but they don’t integrate fully with medical professionals in a way that enables real-time adjustments to care. Similarly, while some glucose monitors and connected blood pressure cuffs exist, many require manual input or regular checks, placing the burden on the user.
What’s Coming Next?
The future of mHealth is bright, and some exciting developments are just around the corner. Imagine a device that doesn’t just track your heart rate but continually monitors your vitals 24/7—without you having to think about it. We’re moving toward devices that will provide automatic updates to your healthcare team, flagging any early warning signs before they become serious issues.
We’re already starting to see the groundwork being laid. For instance, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), which track blood sugar levels in real-time, are a game-changer for those with diabetes. Devices like Dexcom and the Abbott FreeStyle Libre have begun to integrate with smartphones, allowing real-time data sharing with healthcare providers. It’s not a stretch to imagine similar developments for heart conditions or stroke monitoring.
What’s coming next could also include devices with artificial intelligence (AI) that can interpret complex health data and make predictions about your health. For example, a smart wearable could use machine learning to predict a potential heart attack days before it happens, based on subtle patterns in your health data that even a doctor might not notice in a typical check-up.
Imagine waking up to a notification that says, “Based on your recent data, we recommend seeing your cardiologist today.” That’s the kind of proactive healthcare that’s on the horizon—and it’s not science fiction. Companies are already working on similar concepts that merge AI, wearable technology, and cloud-based health analytics.
The Barrier Between Development and Adoption
The question we need to ask is: how do we get from promising product development to real, widespread adoption, especially for older adults who often deal with more complex health issues?
Many current mHealth devices are designed with the tech-savvy in mind. They work well for people who are comfortable using apps, navigating touchscreens, and understanding their health metrics. But for those managing defibrillation or stroke risks—where health data needs to be available 24/7 in a way that’s actionable—the technology isn’t always simple enough.
For example, my friends with defibrillation issues need more than an occasional heart rate reading; they need to know the instant something goes wrong. That’s where ease of use comes in. We can’t expect people to sift through complex health data when they’re not feeling well. Product developers must focus on creating devices that do all the work—automatically sharing data with healthcare providers and alerting the user when action is needed.
When Does Ease of Use Truly Emerge?
So, when do we see devices that fit seamlessly into the lives of those managing chronic conditions? The good news is that we’re close. Devices like the Fitbit are already easy to use, but the next step will be wearables that combine simplicity with advanced, continuous monitoring.
What’s needed is the convergence of several innovations: simpler interfaces, smarter data analytics, and better connectivity with healthcare providers. For example, a wearable device for someone managing heart conditions could offer round-the-clock monitoring that automatically alerts their doctor in case of any irregularities—without the user needing to do anything but wear the device.
In fact, we’re beginning to see this with newer models of smartwatches and health monitors. The shift will come when devices can automatically detect and act on potential health threats before they escalate into emergencies. This could mean a watch that notices subtle changes in heart function or a device that monitors your blood pressure around the clock and can send immediate updates to your medical team.
The Next Stage of Product Development
Product developers need to focus on two key areas: removing the burden from the user and integrating seamlessly with healthcare systems. We’re not far off from a future where wearable devices do more than collect data—they’ll be able to interpret it and take immediate action when necessary. Imagine a device that adjusts your medication dosage automatically based on real-time blood pressure readings or notifies your doctor about irregularities without you needing to make the call.
For those managing serious health concerns, this kind of technology could make a world of difference. And it’s not just about convenience—it’s about peace of mind. When you know that your device is working continuously in the background to keep you healthy, it removes a significant burden from daily life.
Conclusion
While my health is generally good, I’ve seen the challenges my friends face in managing serious medical conditions like heart issues, blood clots, and sleep disorders. They need devices that go beyond tracking steps or giving occasional health updates. They need mHealth devices that provide continuous, reliable monitoring, are easy to use, and seamlessly integrate with their healthcare providers.
Today, we’re closer than ever to seeing this technology become reality. With continuous glucose monitors and smartwatches leading the way, the future promises even more advanced devices capable of real-time health intervention. As these innovations develop, product adoption will follow—especially when ease of use becomes a top priority.
In the near future, I believe we’ll see wearable devices that truly fit into the lives of those managing complex health conditions, providing not just data, but actionable insights and timely interventions. That’s when mHealth will really begin to change lives—not just for the tech-savvy, but for everyone who needs it.
