Aug. 17 – Apple Watch users may actually detect the symptoms of a heart attack using their watch. According to research published earlier this month in the Journal of the Texas Heart Institute, the Apple Watch can help identify heart attacks through the watch’s inclusion of an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor.
In the journal, researchers discuss the topic, more development is needed, but Apple Watch has the potential to become a self-checking tool for users. Heart attacks or myocardial infarctions (MI) are becoming increasingly common in the United States, with someone experiencing one almost every 40 seconds. The chance of survival increases by more than 50 percent if treated quickly, so early detection could help save millions of lives.
Apple says the device is not suitable for detecting myocardial infarction because it provides only single-lead information, while a professional diagnosis requires a 12-lead ECG. The study shows the potential of the Apple Watch, especially the Apple Watch Series 4, 5, 6 and 7 models, because they have ECG sensors that can provide multiple leads for MI diagnosis. It explains that leads I, II and III are essential in the traditional ECG diagnostic approach. Since Apple uses lead I, it only needs the other two and can use different body parts to get relevant information.
The study states, “The smartwatch can be placed on the left lower abdomen, left thigh, or left ankle, and lead II can be recorded by placing the right index finger on the crown; lead III can be recorded in the same way by placing the left index finger on the crown.
The researchers note that it is also important to note the limitations of this approach, as the Apple Watch is not yet a substitute for clinical procedures.
