New York-based medical expert Dr. Mike Varshavski joined host Lawrence Jones on “Fox & Friends” on Tuesday to discuss whether these wearable devices are improving public health<\/a> or simply fueling a new era of medical stress.<\/p>\n ARTHUR C. BROOKS DISCUSSES HOW TO FIND MEANING AND HAPPINESS IN A TECH-DRIVEN WORLD<\/a><\/p>\n For McIlroy, the device functions as both a performance tracker and a tool for managing the golfer\u2019s long-term heart condition<\/a>.<\/p>\n He shared his myocarditis diagnosis, which he received at the age of 20, in a podcast interview with the brand WHOOP.<\/p>\n Rory McIlroy celebrates after winning the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, on April 12, 2026. (Bill Streicher\/Imagn Images)<\/p>\n “I can wear WHOOP, and I can monitor my HRV, my heart rate… just to be able to keep on top of that, it just gives me massive peace of mind,” he said.<\/p>\n However, Varshavski shared a different opinion of consumer wearables<\/a>. While acknowledging their value for “a big athletic event, PGA Tour [or] professional sports,” the doctor expressed concern for the average user.<\/p>\n DEMENTIA RISK COULD BE TIED TO YOUR MINDSET AND OUTLOOK ON LIFE, STUDY SUGGESTS<\/a><\/p>\n “I would never recommend a consumer-grade device to track a true medical condition<\/a>. This is not what these devices are intended to do.”<\/p>\n Jones, an avid user of multiple devices, including the WHOOP, Oura Ring and Apple Watch, shared that the data helps him catch up on deficits and understand his recovery.<\/p>\n “I would never recommend a consumer-grade device to track a true medical condition. This is not what these devices are intended to do,” Dr. Mike Varshavski said. (iStock)<\/p>\n “Sometimes you don’t understand if you’re in a deep sleep, for example, or you may have gotten eight hours, but you weren’t really, you were tossing and turning<\/a>,” Jones noted.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES<\/a><\/p>\n Varshavski countered that an obsession with these metrics can actually backfire.<\/p>\n “When you start losing track of that by focusing on the numbers, not how you actually feel, I feel that disconnects you with your own body,” he cautioned.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n “We have a medical term for this called orthosomnia, where we become so obsessed with these fitness trackers and the sleep data, but it actually fuels sleep anxiety<\/a>.”<\/p>\n Jones emphasized that for a population that has historically ignored internal health in favor of “how they look from a… superficial standpoint,” these devices provide a necessary gateway to health awareness<\/a>.<\/p>\n Dr. Mike Varshavski suggests treating the technology with the same perspective as any other piece of fitness gear. (iStock)<\/p>\n The doctor agreed that the motivational aspect is a win as long as the expectations remain realistic. He suggests treating the technology with the same perspective as any other piece of fitness gear<\/a>.<\/p>\n “We can treat these devices like we would a new pair of running shoes. You know, if that gets you excited to get an exercise program, why not? Let’s make use of it.”<\/p>\n TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/a><\/p>\n A WHOOP spokesperson provided the following statement to Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n “The characterization of wearables as purely \u2018consumer-grade\u2019 fitness tools overlooks the significant advances in accuracy, validation, and real-world utility that devices like WHOOP now deliver.”<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/a><\/p>\n “We believe discouraging individuals from engaging with their own health data<\/a> runs counter to the future of healthcare, which is increasingly continuous, personalized and focused on prevention,” the spokesperson added.<\/p>\n![\"Rory](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Rory-McIllroy-Masters-Augusta-041226.jpeg\")
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