The Apple Watch Series 4 is the world-beating smartwatch that has revolutionised wearable tech. The Apple Watch 4 offers a huge range of health benefits and ways to stay connected without needing a phone. And the watch’s placement, on a person’s body, gives it capabilities the iPhone could never have.
Now, this incredible device just got even better for Apple Watch wearers following a major update.
Apple Watch Series 4 enables customers to take an electrocardiogram right from their wrist
Apple
Apple’s latest smartwatch can now detect signs of a deadly heart condition – potentially saving lives across the UK.
As of today, Thursday, March 28, a new update for the Apple Watch Series 4 lets watch-wearers take an electrocardiogram (ECG) to spot irregular heart rhythm.
The ECG app records the timing and strength of the electric signals that make your heart beat.
This allows the Apple Watch to check for atrial fibrillation (AFib), the most common form of irregular heart rhythm.
An Apple statement reads: “Starting today, the ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 marks a direct-to-consumer product that enables customers to take an electrocardiogram right from their wrist, capturing heart rhythm in a moment when they experience symptoms like a rapid or skipped heart beat and helping to provide critical data to physicians.
“The ECG app and irregular rhythm notification are now CE marked and cleared in the European Economic Area.
“The irregular rhythm notification feature on Apple Watch can now also occasionally check heart rhythms in the background and send a notification if an irregular heart rhythm that appears to be atrial fibrillation (AFib) is identified.”
How does Apple Watch ECG work?
The Apple Watch ECG feature has finally arrived in the UK yesterday.
To bring the live-saving tech to the UK, Apple had to get CE-mark certification across Europe.
As part of the process, Apple conducted a clinical trial involving 600 test subjects.
The ECG app was able to classify AFib accurately 98.3 percent of the time, and 99.6 percent for sinus rhythm – a normal heart rate rhythm.
Apple seems keen to avoid misleading anyone and makes clear the Apple Watch can’t detect heart attacks, blood clots, stroke or any other heart-related conditions.
But it can accurately detect AFib with a 30-second ECG that can be performed simply by touching a sensor built into the Digital Crown on the side of the Apple Watch Series 4.
However, the Apple Watch ECG feature will not work when wet, so avoid using if you have been showering or swimming.
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