India, May 22 -- The reported death of Kannada actor Dileep Raj after a cardiac arrest has reignited debate around the growing dependence on smartwatches and wearable health devices. Multiple reports suggest that the 47-year-old may have initially relied on smartwatch readings before seeking medical attention and being rushed to the hospital. This raises concerns about whether wearable technology can create a false sense of reassurance during medical emergencies. The incident comes at a time when smartwatches have become an everyday health companion for millions, especially younger users, tracking heart rate, sleep, stress, oxygen levels and physical activity in real time. While doctors say these devices can help monitor general wellness and sometimes flag irregularities, they stress that consumer wearables are not medical diagnostic tools and cannot reliably rule out heart attacks or other serious cardiac conditions. Cardiologists say the larger concern is India's rising burden of early heart disease. A 2025 AIIMS autopsy-based study found that cardiovascular disease accounted for 57.2% of sudden deaths among Indians aged 18-45, with coronary artery disease emerging as one of the leading causes. Experts warn that stress, poor sleep, sedentary lifestyles, untreated metabolic disorders and delayed recognition of symptoms are increasingly contributing to sudden cardiac events among seemingly healthy adults....