The latest research suggests that the Apple Watch's electrocardiogram (ECG) feature could be used to check for heart attack symptoms. The Apple Watch is one of the most popular smartwatches in the world, and it comes with many health and fitness features. With the Apple Watch Series 4 in 2018, Apple introduced the ability to take electrocardiogram (ECG) readings, making it the first mainstream smart wearable to offer the feature.
The Series 4 also gained the fall-detection feature that has since been credited with saving the lives of many senior citizens. Over the years, the device also gained a plethora of new hardware sensors, including a blood oxygen monitor that was added with the Series 6 in 2020. However, for all the high-end sensors offered by the Apple Watch, it still doesn't have body temperature measurement, blood pressure reader and blood glucose monitoring. That said, recent rumors suggest that the temperature measurement feature might be introduced with the Apple Watch Series 8 this year, while the other two might debut in 2024.
A study published recently in the Texas Heart Institute Journal suggests that the Apple Watch could be used to check for symptoms of myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. While researchers say that much more analysis is needed before saying whether the Apple Watch will accurately predict imminent heart attacks, they also claim that the device does show early promise for detecting myocardial infarction. To prove their point, the researchers cited studies that show the device can record multiple-lead ECG signals to detect the ST change during a heart attack. However, the researchers also warn that under no circumstances should the Apple Watch be used as a replacement for actual medical-grade equipment.
Can The Apple Watch Detect Symptoms Of A Heart Attack?
The caution is understandable, as the Apple Watch only records a single-lead ECG using one positive electrode on the back of the watch and one negative electrode at the digital crown. In comparison, hospital-grade machines record 12-lead ECGs to detect symptoms of myocardial infarction accurately.
The Apple Watch is one of the most popular smartwatches on the planet. Alongside blood sugar, blood pressure and body temperature measurements, recent reports also suggest that the Apple Watch could soon get the ability to monitor people for symptoms of Parkinson's, thanks to a new technology green-lighted by the FDA.
Source: Texas Heart Institute Journal