Over the past couple years, I've had several r&r and personal friends diagnosed with COPD, for which there is no cure. COPD is America's third largest killer, along with cancer and heart disease. Now, Phillips has developed a system that monitors the critical areas of the patient before it becomes more serious, that according to a report in USA Today.

According to Philips, physical activity and inactivity, respiratory function, heart rhythm, and heart rate variability are all monitored. The data is then retrievable via two apps: Philips eCareCompanion and eCareCoordinator, making it possible for doctors to monitor patients remotely.

"Instead of people just going to the hospital when things have deteriorated—they're so short of breath or it becomes life-threatening—[the information] is coming in way ahead,"

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