So far, the Apple Watch has saved many Apple customers who have trusted it, in addition to fall detection, the smartwatch has an exceptional talent for finding atrial fibrillation by observing your heartbeat. However, recently published research claims that the Apple Watch ECG is underestimated.
Researchers have made a discovery
The electrocardiogram (ECG) capability of the Apple Watch Series 4, 5, 6, and 7 models was studied by researchers at the Texas Heart Institute to aid in the diagnosis of symptoms of myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction occurs when blood flow to the heart is restricted, preventing oxygen from reaching part of the heart muscle.
Clearly, the time between the onset of symptoms and medical intervention affects the prognosis of a heart attack. The majority of people with myocardial infarction don’t arrive in time in the hospital, and those who make it often don’t survive the first hour.
According to the study, the Apple Watch could play a vital role to give a credible heart attack risk assessment at the onset of symptoms, the user could then be warned that he needs to go to a hospital urgently.
Faster treatment by health professionals can significantly reduce the risk of a heart attack.
Apple does not indicate this in its communication, but multiple tests have demonstrated that the Apple Watch can collect ECG data that identifies ST shift, leading researchers to conclude that Apple’s smartwatch has potential for diagnosing STmyocardial infarction. Of course, this study is not enough to say “The Apple Watch can warn of an upcoming heart attack”additional tests in clinics and with voluntary participants are essential to give this merit to the watch.
Apple Watch VS professional equipment
Apple keeps repeating it, in 2022, an Apple Watch can’t replace medical equipment and she will probably never be able to do it. In reality, Apple believes that its connected watch can however serve as pre-diagnosisit allows customers to be informed about their state of health and the need to intervene when the situation deteriorates.
We can also see the difference in the “seriousness” of equipment for diagnosing a myocardial infarction:
- At a doctor’s: the electrocardiogram is performed with 12 leads.
- With an Apple Watch: the electrocardiogram is performed with a derivation that uses the positive electrode on the back of the Apple Watch and the negative electrode located in the Digital Crown.
It will be interesting to see how this is perceived at Apple Park, will the Californian giant take this discovery into account? Every day, engineers and scientists work together on the health features of Apple Watch to deliver always more perfection and of technological advancement to consumers!