A CONSULTANT cardiologist working at the Cumberland Infirmary and the West Cumberland Hospital has appeared on national radio talking about the benefits of smart watches when it comes to heart health.

Dr Louise Buchanan, who is also an associate medical director, was invited on air after reports of a man from Scotland was alerted by his smart watch that he had an irregular heartbeat - which led to having a pacemaker fitted, despite having no symptoms.

Smart watches not only keep track of heart rates but also calories burned, steps walked and sleep.

“Smart watches themselves shouldn’t be used as a diagnostic tool – they don’t let you know that you have a heart condition. What they do is alert you to trends that may indicate something is wrong," said Dr Buchanan.

“If your smart watch is alerting you to the suggestion something is out of the ordinary repeatedly, it is important to tell your doctor."

The NHS has recently launched an awareness campaign for the symptoms of a heart attack after it emerged that over half the populations were unaware of the warning signs.

Dr Buchanan said: "Across north Cumbria, we want people to dial 999 as soon as they start experiencing symptoms and they can be brought via ambulance to the Heart Centre at the Cumberland Infirmary where we offer 24/7 emergency treatment, which can be life-saving.”

Common signs and symptoms of a heart attack are: Sudden chest pains or discomfort, wheezing, tight chest, nausea, and a pain that spreads throughout your body.

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