Almost eight in 10 UK adults track at least one aspect of their health or wellbeing, according to a survey of more than 4,000 people.
For many people, checking measures such as sleep, resting heart rate, blood oxygen, step counts or stress has become part of everyday life.
Tests and measurements that once required a trip to the doctor can increasingly be carried out at home using smartwatches, phone apps and self-testing kits.
The research suggests that trend is likely to continue.
In the survey, 79 per cent of UK adults said they already track at least one aspect of their health or wellbeing.
A further 86 per cent said they would be willing to do so if the NHS recommended it.
The NHS is also moving towards greater use of home monitoring, with digital tools intended to help people manage long-term conditions and spot problems earlier.
The government’s ten-year health plan for England identifies shifts from hospital to home, analogue to digital services and sickness to prevention as priorities for healthcare.
Blood pressure was the most commonly monitored health measure in the survey, followed by fitness and exercise.
Most people who had monitored their health said they trusted the results they received, particularly for measurements such as blood pressure and blood sugar.
More than 76 per cent said they would be willing for their results to be sent automatically to their GP.
Tracking health can help people spot changes, recognise patterns and understand what is normal for them.
Studies suggest it can encourage healthier habits and help some people manage long-term conditions, particularly when healthcare professionals are involved.
Many respondents said self-monitoring improved their awareness of their health, gave them greater control, motivated lifestyle changes and provided reassurance.
Others valued the convenience of checking aspects of their health without having to make an appointment.
Research also suggests that monitoring people at home can help doctors spot problems and may improve care for people with long-term conditions.
However, anxiety was a recurring concern among survey respondents.
Some worried that self-monitoring could lead them to check excessively, focus too heavily on small changes or become anxious about normal fluctuations.
Others were concerned about inaccurate readings, difficulty interpreting results and uncertainty about what action to take afterwards.
Some health tests and devices may also be less reliable than users assume, while even accurate results can be difficult to interpret without medical advice.
Without proper guidance, self-monitoring can create false reassurance as well as unnecessary worry.
Previous studies have found it is most effective when combined with education, tailored feedback or professional support rather than used on its own.
Depending on what was being monitored, between 14 and 38 per cent of respondents said they took no action after discovering a problem or concern.
The researchers said monitoring alone is not enough and people need clear advice on when to seek help, when to take another measurement and when a result is unlikely to be important.
Willingness to self-monitor was lower among men, older adults, people living in more deprived areas and those with lower levels of education.
The researchers said this matters because using health apps and devices can depend on having access to the right technology, knowing how to use it and feeling confident interpreting the results.
Studies have found that digital health literacy tends to be lower among older adults and people with lower levels of education.
Cost could also be a barrier.
Only around 33 per cent of respondents said they would be willing to pay for monitoring equipment or apps.
If home health monitoring becomes more common, there is a risk that people who could benefit most may be among those least likely to have access to the technology or feel confident using it.
Reviews of digital health technologies have warned that innovations can widen existing health inequalities if differences in access, affordability and digital literacy are not addressed.
The researchers said greater use of home monitoring should therefore be accompanied by support, education and alternatives for people who are less comfortable using digital technology.
They concluded that home health tools could help people stay healthier and identify problems earlier, but should support rather than replace appropriate medical care and need to be accessible to everyone.
