Meaning of health indicators on smartwatches

Understanding Smartwatch Health Indicators

Smartwatches have become real allies for monitoring our health on a daily basis. They measure various indicators that offer insight into our physical and mental well-being. Here are the main indicators you can find on these devices, what they mean, and how to interpret their levels based on age.

1. Heart Rate
Heart rate indicates the number of beats per minute. A healthy adult is usually between 60 and 100 BPM (beats per minute) at rest. Alert levels are: above 100 BPM (tachycardia) or below 50 BPM (bradycardia) at rest, especially for people over 50 years old.

2. Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
HRV measures the variation between each beat, reflecting the body's ability to handle stress. A high score indicates good adaptation to stress. For a young adult, an HRV greater than 50 ms is optimal, while for an older person, a score greater than 20 ms remains acceptable.

3. Blood Oxygen Level (SpO2)
Blood oxygen levels reflect the efficiency of breathing and circulation. An optimal level is above 95% for all ages. An alert is triggered if the level falls below 90%, a sign of hypoxemia.

4. Sleep Tracking
Sleep tracking analyzes cycles (deep, light, REM) to assess the quality of the night. An adult should ideally get 7 to 8 hours of sleep. For those over 65, 6 to 7 hours is often enough. Poor quality sleep can signal increased stress or health problems.

5. Breath Tracking
This indicator measures the number of breaths per minute. A rate of 12 to 20 breaths is normal for an adult. Alert levels are below 10 or above 25 breaths, which may signal a breathing problem.

6. Mood Assessment
Some watches estimate mood from HRV, stress and sleep patterns. Although indicative, this indicator can be useful for detecting signs of mental fatigue or chronic stress.

Smartwatches provide valuable information, but they are not a substitute for medical advice. By monitoring these indicators, you can get warning signs and adopt healthier lifestyle habits, regardless of your age.