New Year, New Tools: Tech and Apps That Support Heart Health

The start of a new year often inspires a fresh start, and what better resolution to set than taking care of your heart? Heart health can sometimes feel like an overwhelming goal. Still, thanks to modern technology, tools, apps, and gadgets make it easier than ever to monitor, improve, and maintain your cardiovascular wellness. From smartwatches that track your heart rate to apps that guide you toward healthier habits, tech-savvy solutions can help you confidently achieve your New Year's resolutions.

Here are some of the best tools, apps, and strategies for supporting heart health and how you can integrate them into your daily life.

1.     Wearable Tech: Monitoring Your Heart 24/7

Wearable devices, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, have become game-changers for heart health. These gadgets go beyond tracking steps—they now measure heart rate, heart rate variability, and oxygen saturation and even detect irregular heart rhythms.

●       Apple Watch and Fitbit: Both devices monitor heart rate and can send alerts if your heart rate is unusually high or low. They also track your cardio fitness over time and encourage daily movement goals. The Apple Watch's ECG (electrocardiogram) app allows users to capture heart rhythm data, a useful tool for identifying potential issues like atrial fibrillation (AFib).

●       Garmin Smartwatches: Known for their accuracy, Garmin devices measure heart rate and stress levels and even provide insights into sleep quality, an essential factor for overall heart health.

●       WHOOP Strap: This wearable focuses on heart rate variability (HRV) and recovery, helping athletes and non-athletes understand their heart’s readiness for exertion and stress.

By wearing these devices daily, you can track your progress, identify patterns, and gain real-time insights into your heart’s performance. They also send reminders to stand, breathe, or move—small nudges adding significant cardiovascular health benefits.

2.     Heart Health Apps: Your Pocket-Sized Coach

Smartphones have become indispensable tools for wellness, and there’s no shortage of apps to help you improve your heart health. Whether you’re looking to eat better, exercise more, or manage stress, these apps make it easier to stay on track.

●       MyFitnessPal: Nutrition plays a huge role in heart health. MyFitnessPal helps you log meals, track calories, and monitor key nutrients like sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fats. Understanding what you eat is the first step toward making healthier choices.

●       Heartify: Explicitly designed for heart health, Heartify allows users to monitor their heart rate, track trends, and receive tips for improving cardiovascular fitness.

●       Headspace or Calm: Stress management is critical for heart health, as chronic stress can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease. Meditation apps like Headspace and Calm guide users through breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and stress-relieving meditations.

●       Cardio Workout Apps: Apps like Peloton, Nike Training Club, or 7-Minute Workout offer guided workouts tailored to your fitness level. From low-impact cardio to high-intensity interval training (HIIT), these tools help you strengthen your heart and stay motivated.

Using these apps consistently can turn heart-healthy goals into daily habits. Many offer progress tracking to show users just how far they’ve come.

3.     Smart Scales and Blood Pressure Monitors: Know Your Numbers

A key part of improving heart health is tracking essential metrics like weight, blood pressure, and BMI. Thanks to smart devices, monitoring these numbers has never been easier or more accurate.

●       Withings Body+ Scale: This smart scale measures weight, BMI, and body composition and syncs the data with your phone for easy tracking. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces your risk of hypertension and other heart-related conditions.

●       Omron Evolv: A portable, wireless blood pressure monitor that offers accurate readings and sends data to an app. Monitoring blood pressure regularly helps you identify changes early and share results with your healthcare provider.

These devices empower you to take a proactive approach to your heart health. You won't have to guess or wait for annual check-ups to know where you stand.

4.     Telehealth: Bringing Heart Care to Your Home

Access to medical care has evolved significantly in recent years, and telehealth is now a convenient and effective way to monitor heart health. Virtual visits allow you to consult with a cardiologist, discuss concerns, and monitor conditions without leaving home.

Many wearable devices and heart health apps can sync with telehealth platforms, enabling your healthcare provider to see real-time data. This connectivity allows for quicker interventions and adjustments to treatment plans.

For those managing chronic heart conditions or trying to prevent them, telehealth makes it easier to prioritize heart care, even with a busy schedule.

5.     Building a Routine: Pairing Tech with Lifestyle Changes

While technology offers powerful tools, pairing these with healthy lifestyle changes makes all the difference. Start small:

●       Use your smartwatch to set a daily step goal or activity reminder.

●       Try a 5-minute meditation on your favorite app to manage stress.

●       Track your meals and sodium intake to keep your diet heart-healthy.

●       Schedule regular virtual check-ups with your doctor.

By weaving technology into your daily routine, you’ll be more likely to keep your heart health resolutions long after January has passed.

This year, let technology be your partner in achieving heart health goals. From wearable devices that track your progress to apps that keep you accountable, these tools make heart health more accessible, actionable, and fun. Remember, minor changes lead to significant results. Start now, stay consistent, and let the power of tech guide you toward a healthier heart in 2025 and beyond.

Your heart works hard for you daily—it’s time to return the favor.

ACLS Academy is an authorized American Heart Association (AHA)- Aligned Training Center. We have three convenient locations in Massachusetts—Quincy, Bridgewater, and Newton Center—and most of our classes include an online training component. We provide high-quality courses taught by instructors practicing in the medical profession for ACLS, BLS, TNCC, ENPC, NRP, PALS, PALS Plus, PEARS, ACLS- EP, ASLS, Bloodborne Pathogen, HeartSaver CPR/AED, First Aid, and Instructor Courses. Please browse our catalog of courses.