Heart Health at Your Fingertip: How New Tech Empowers You to Monitor Your Heart

Your heart beats more than 100,000 times a day, pumping blood throughout your body. But how often do you check on it?

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, with 1 in 5 people dying from heart disease every 33 seconds, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The shift to advanced heart monitoring technology at home helps with early detection of abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib), to prevent life-threatening complications like a stroke or heart failure.

With today’s advancements in heart monitoring technology, patients can track their heart rhythms and overall cardiovascular health more accurately than ever before – all from the comfort of their home.

How Do I Monitor My Heart Health at Home?

Heart health monitoring is no longer limited to hospital-grade equipment. There are now affordable, easy-to-use devices that allow you to track your heart’s rhythm, blood pressure and oxygen levels anywhere, at any time.

Here are some examples of at-home heart monitors you can use:

• Wearable Heart Monitors and Smart Watches: Popular brands like Apple Watch, Fitbit and the Samsung Galaxy Watch have built-in heart rate monitors and EKG Capabilities. These devices can track your resting and active heart rate, detect irregular heart rhythms such as AFib, and send alerts for abnormally high or low heart rates. Some models can also monitor oxygen saturation, a critical indicator of heart and lung health.
• Portable EKG Monitors: Handheld EKG monitors, like KardiaMobile or Withings Moves ECG, provide electrocardiograms anywhere. Simply place your fingers on the sensors, and within seconds, you can check for abnormal heart rhythms. This can also record and store heart activity so you can show your cardiologist. This type of device is great for people with a history of AFib, palpitations or irregular heartbeats who need on-demand EKG recordings.
• Blood Pressure Monitors: High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a major risk factor for heart disease, but it can go unnoticed since there are no symptoms. Home blood pressure cuffs offer digital blood pressure monitors that sync with your phone, making it easy to track trends over time. Those with a history of high blood pressure, heart disease or who are at risk for a stroke can benefit for using a blood pressure monitor.
• Pulse Oximeter: A pulse oximeter is a small electronic device that clips onto your finger to measure oxygen saturation and heart rate. If your oxygen levels drop below normal, it could be a sign of heart or lung problems. This device is beneficial for individuals with heart failure or those recovering from a heart procedure who need to monitor their oxygen levels.

Gone are the days when heart health monitoring was limited to hospital and doctors’ office visits with clunky machines. Now with rise of wearable devices, home EKG monitors and smartwatches, people have access to real-time heart data, allowing for early detection of abnormal heart rhythms that could signal serious issues.

However, while at-home devices help you stay informed, it’s important to know when to consult with your primary physician.

When Should I Get My Heart Screened by a Doctor?

Technology makes it easier to track heart health, but recognizing warning signs and acting promptly can save lives. Here are some warning signs to look for:

• Irregular Heart Rhythms (Arrythmias): If your smartwatch or EKG device detects an irregular heartbeat, especially accompanied by dizziness, chest pain or fainting, seek medical attention right away. Some arrythmias like AFib can increase stroke risk and require immediate treatment.
• High Blood Pressure Readings: If your blood pressure consistently measures above 140/90, or you experience sudden spikes in your blood pressure, it could put you at risk for heart disease, stroke or kidney problems. Uncontrolled high blood pressure requires medical attention from a health care provider.
• Chest Pain or Discomfort: Chest pain, pressure or tightness should never be ignored, even if it comes and goes. This sign could indicate angina (reduced blood flow to the heart) or a heart attack. If pain is severe or lasts more than a few minutes, call 9-1-1 immediately.
• Shortness of Breath or Low Oxygen Levels: Unexplained breathlessness, especially with exertion or while lying down, could be a sign of heart failure or a blocked artery. A pulse oximeter reading can also determine if your oxygen level may be low, and if it reads below 90%, seek medical evaluation right away if it persists.
• High or Low Heart Rate: A persistent high heart rate or dangerously low heart rate could signal an underlying heart condition. If your device detects these abnormalities along with fatigue, dizziness or confusion, seek medical attention right away.
• Swelling in Legs, Feet or Abdomen: Edema (fluid buildup) can be a sign of heart failure. If you notice the swelling doesn’t go away, especially with weight gain or difficulty breathing, consult with your primary physician.

At-home monitoring is a powerful tool, but nothing replaces expert medical care when concerns arise. If you have a history of heart-related issues, MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Long Beach Medical Center is the premier destination for advanced heart care in the region.

Why Heart Care Matters at MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Long Beach Medical Center

MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Long Beach Medical Center includes a multidisciplinary team of leading cardiologists, electrophysiologists and cardiovascular surgeons specialized in diagnosing and treating heart conditions from arrhythmias to advanced heart failure.

MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute is equipped with the latest cardiovascular, advanced technology, including:

• Comprehensive EKG & Holter monitoring for detailed heart rhythm assessments
• Advanced imaging including echocardiograms, CT angiography and cardiac MRIs
• Minimally invasive procedures such as catheter ablation for arrhythmias and transcatheter aortic valve replacement
• TriClip and MitraClip devices to repair faulty heart valves
• The WATCHMAN^TM device to help those with AFib

The care team understands that heart health isn’t one-size-fits-all. They tailor treatment plans personalized to each patient’s needs, whether it’s medication management, lifestyle changes or surgical intervention.

For urgent heart issues like heart attacks, the Emergency Department at Long Beach Medical Center offers comprehensive emergency cardiac services and a rapid response team in place to ensure patients receive timely, expert care. If further testing and medical intervention are needed, the MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Long Beach Medical Center offers various treatment options to offer personalized treatment plans to manage patients’ heart issues. The care team is highly specialized and trained to combat future heart disease risks in patients by addressing underlying issues affecting a patient’s heart health.

As one of the most high performing hospitals according to U.S. News, MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center is a six-time five-star recipient recognized for its excellence in coronary bypass surgery, coronary intervention, treatment of heart-attack and heart failure by heart grades, and has recently received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Heart Failure Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award, as well as the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. With these achievements and an array of passionate, renowned specialists, patients can have the confidence knowing they are receiving the best care.

Your heart health is in your hands – stay informed and stay proactive in your heart health.

For more information on how to keep your heart healthy, take our heart health risk assessment today.

About Dr. Mark Lee

Dr. Mark Lee is a fellowship-trained, board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist with Memorial Cardiology Medical Group in Long Beach. He serves as the Medical Director of Electrophysiology at the MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Long Beach Medical Center.

Dr. Lee specializes in complex ablations and treats the full spectrum of heart rhythm disorders, including supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia. He is highly skilled in all aspects of interventional electrophysiology, including pacemaker and defibrillator implantation, WATCHMAN™ device procedures, and leadless extractions.

He earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont and completed his internal medicine residency at Scripps Clinic/Green Hospital in La Jolla, California. He went on to complete fellowships in cardiovascular disease and cardiac electrophysiology at the University of Vermont Medical Center, where he trained under nationally recognized leaders in the field.

A passionate educator and researcher, Dr. Lee actively participates in multiple clinical studies as both Principal and Sub-Investigator. In 2018 and 2024, he was honored as “Attending of the Year” by UC Irvine’s graduating cardiology fellows for his excellence in teaching.