Then one year, the experience was different. Mark’s lab results were no longer on paper — and they were no longer numbers and acronyms. Instead, they were displayed as an interactive graphic on his tablet. Even with no medical background, Mark immediately understood everything; there was no shrugging away what was happening to his arteries. Vague and imaginary until now, cholesterol was suddenly a very clear threat. For the first time, Mark was genuinely motivated to change what he saw on the screen.

When all a family can do is wait for news, a long surgery feels endless. As Mark goes into surgery, Maria downloads FamilyConnect. This app gives family members automatic updates about Mark’s bypass from the hospital’s timestamp system. When the long surgery is over, Dr. Walker records a video announcing that the surgery was successful. He posts his prognosis on Mark’s personal care network so everyone in the family can access the news — and so everyone has the correct information.

It’s reassuring for everyone to hear from the doctor right away, and much easier for Dr. Walker to explain the situation while details are still fresh in his mind.

Mark’s doctors are concerned about three primary things: heart rhythm, pain levels and activity. The devices and apps – which his insurance company gladly reimbursed him for to keep his hospitals bills down – lets him share all of these vitals and more with his physician in real time.

AFib is always a concern — but even more so after heart surgery. Dr. Walker is able to quickly check in on Mark by reviewing real-time data. Suspecting a need to change the dosage on a prescription, Dr. Walker asks Mark to come in for a follow-up exam.