Maeve O’Neill, a 19-year-old freshman at George Washington University, felt unwell but didn’t fully grasp how serious her condition was.
Changes in her heart rate, breathing, and temperature, which she monitored via a device, urged her to seek medical attention before it became too late.
“It started around 3 a.m. while I was in a hotel with my mom after six days of feeling really sick,” she recalled.
“I woke up knowing something was definitely off. I couldn’t go back to sleep, and lying down was painful. Checking the Oura app was, well, scary.”
She was quickly taken to the emergency room at George Washington Hospital, where oxygen was administered.
Numerous tests followed, revealing she was in respiratory failure and diagnosed with Lemierre syndrome—a rare and potentially fatal condition—alongside double pneumonia, septic embolism, and COVID-19.
Maeve spent seven days in the ICU followed by another ten days on the infectious disease floor, even requiring chest surgery to help her recovery.
Fortunately, five months later, she’s a successful Division I lacrosse player, but it’s hard to say how things might have turned out.
She had bought the Oura ring to monitor her health more closely, and honestly, she didn’t expect it to have such an impact.
“I keep thinking about what might’ve happened if I didn’t look at the Oura data that night,” she said. “Without that, maybe I wouldn’t have gone to the hospital. Who knows if I’d even be here?”
What can trackers actually do?
It’s estimated that about a third of Americans use some form of activity tracker or smart wearable.
Stories are emerging about users learning of serious health issues thanks to their wearable devices. People have been prompted to visit their doctors and received diagnoses for conditions like lymphoma, lupus, and atrial fibrillation due to signals from these devices.
While some health trackers come with FDA-approved functions—like atrial fibrillation detection—brands still caution that these should not be viewed as diagnostic tools.
For instance, the Oura Ring is not a medical device and isn’t designed to diagnose or treat any health conditions, the brand has communicated previously.
Still, such devices provide valuable insights into heart rate, skin temperature, sleep quality, and other factors, encouraging users to seek medical consultations when something appears amiss.
Dr. Jordan Schlein, founder of Private Medical, noted that wearables serve as both a “rearview mirror and windshield” for personal health. They show past patterns and current health states.
“If someone notices their resting heart rate rising over several weeks,” he added, “that’s not just about smart gadgets. It’s about spotting trends we might overlook.”
However, it’s also a bit tricky. “What wearables tell us is that something feels off, but they can’t specify what that is,” Schlein explained.
Relying solely on the data can lead to confusion; a spike in heart rate could mean anxiety or the extra espresso you had earlier.
Even so, many find reassurance in using these devices, prompting them to explore their health concerns.
Save a lot of heartache
Nicolette Amet, a 44-year-old TV producer from London, also found problems through her Fitbit.
She had been feeling dizzy and moody, with her heart racing at night. It was her Fitbit signal indicating a resting heart rate between 120 and 140 bpm that led her to realize something was truly wrong.
One morning, after feeling ill, she went to the hospital with her heart rate reaching between 200 and 220 bpm.
Tests revealed multiple cardiac issues, necessitating heart surgery later that year, along with two additional surgeries.
During her recovery, she utilized her wearables heavily, and now carries a small electrocardiogram device for monitoring. This is commonly recommended post-heart diagnosis.
On the road to diagnosis
Not every discovery made with health trackers is critical.
Sandy Mendez, 33, from Houston, initially bought the UltraHuman ring to track her sleep due to her constant fatigue. However, the menstrual cycle feature brought her some unexpected issues.
“The ring would remind me about my cycle each month, but sometimes I wouldn’t even ovulate,” she said.
After visiting her doctor, tests indicated fluctuations in her thyroid activity, giving her insights into her fatigue and recent heart palpitations.
“Without the Ultrahuman Ring, I don’t think I would’ve found out I had a thyroid condition,” she reflected, feeling more empowered to advocate for herself in the medical sphere.
Health trackers offer people a chance to monitor their well-being more proactively, and many doctors encourage tracking as an alternative to simply waiting for tests.
However, while these devices can be helpful, it’s important to remember they should not replace traditional medical consultation.
Shlein emphasized the need for a holistic view incorporating genetics and medical history to effectively predict health issues rather than just reacting to symptoms. “A sensor can’t replace a doctor’s insight or inquiry,” he stated. “Technology should enhance, not replace, the role of healthcare providers.”
