AHA: Those With, at Risk for CVD Less Likely to Use Wearables

FRIDAY, Nov. 4, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Individuals with, or at risk for, cardiovascular disease (CVD), are less likely to use wearable devices that monitor and track health or physical activity, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2022, held from Nov. 5 to 7 in Chicago.

Lovedeep S. Dhingra, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., from the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, and colleagues used data from the Health Information National Trends Survey for 2019 to 2020 to examine the self-reported use of wearable devices among patients with CVD and those with risk factors. Patterns of their use were assessed across demographic subgroups.

Overall, 933 of the 9,303 participants had CVD and 5,185 were at risk for CVD. The researchers found that an estimated 18 and 26 percent of those with CVD and at risk for CVD, respectively, used wearables, compared with an estimated 29 percent of the total U.S. population. Individuals aged older than 65 years accounted for 49 and 22 percent of those with CVD and at risk, respectively, but only 12 and 14 percent had any wearable use, compared with 17 and 25 percent among those aged 50 to 64 years and 33 percent for both among those aged 18 to 49 years. Wearable use was increased threefold to fourfold for those with a higher annual household income and educational attainment.

"We need to ensure that wearable devices reach the people who need them most, by improving equitable access and promoting wearables as health devices to help improve health and decrease health disparities," Dhingra said in a statement.

Several authors disclosed financial ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.

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