Lancaster University

Smartwatch Innovation: New Heart Rate-to-Step Ratio Emerges as Superior Health Indicator

- Northwestern University researchers have developed a new health metric that divides average daily heart rate by step count, providing a more reliable measure of cardiovascular fitness than either measurement alone. - The study analyzed data from nearly 7,000 adults, finding that people with higher heart rate per step ratios were twice as likely to have type 2 diabetes and 1.7 times more likely to have heart failure. - Smartwatch-based exercise programs have also shown promise for diabetes management, with participants 10 times more likely to start exercise regimens and three times more likely to maintain them after one year.