How Apple Intends to Look After your Heart

Recently, Apple held it’s very first Keynote event in the all-new Steve Jobs theatre at their new Apple Park complex in Cupertino, California.

Every year, people countdown to the reveal of the new Apple products that will hit stores and the available updates for their current devices that always offer some form of new features.

It’s been two years since the Apple Watch hit the scene and has now become the number one watch in the world, overtaking brands such as Rolex and Omega for the title. It was no surprise to us to see that there is a new Watch hitting the market, as well as an all-new watchOS that offered users a variety of updates.

A specific update that caught our eye was the development on the Heart Rate App. It’s clear to see Apple believe that their SmartWatch has a place in the medical field, but how exactly does Apple intend to look after your heart..?

Keeping A ‘Watch’-ful Eye on your Heart

Whether you’re reading, running or recovering from your exercising, the Apple Watch will keep an eye on your heart rate.

This development is due to Apple wanting their Watch to be capable of detecting common heart problems, such as Arterial Fibrillation which sadly is a very common issue that affects around 1 million people in the UK but often goes undiagnosed.

To help with their medical development, Apple has paired with Stanford for a study to help determine whether their Watch can accurately detect abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmias in its wearers.

With this development, the Watch will notify its wearers if their heart rate has increased significantly whether they’re exercising or not, signalling a potential problem with their heart.

About Atrial Fibrillation (AF)

A normal heart rate should be between 60 – 100 beats per minute, however for people with higher fitness levels, such as athletes, it can be lower. In Atrial Fibrillation the heart rate is irregular and can be very fast; in some circumstances, it can be higher than 100 beats per minute.

Symptoms for Atrial Fibrillation can include dizziness, shortness of breath and tiredness, and even heart palpitations – this is where your heart feels like it’s pounding, fluttering or beating irregularly for a few seconds, or in some instances, a few minutes. However, with that being said, Atrial Fibrillation may cause no symptoms, this is why it can go undiagnosed.

Atrial Fibrillation isn’t usually a life-threatening condition, but it can be uncomfortable for the people it affects. Treatment can include:

Medication to prevent a stroke Medication to control the rhythm of the heart or the heart rate Cardioversion (a controlled electric shock administered to the heart) Catheter Ablation (where the area inside the heart that is causing the abnormal rhythm is destroyed using radiofrequency energy. A pacemaker may need to be fitted to help your heart beat in a regular rhythm)

If you notice a sudden change in your heartbeat or are experiencing the symptoms listed above, it is important that you go and see your GP as they will be able to advise you further on diagnosis and treatment options.

Do you wear an Apple Watch?

Apple may be one of the largest companies in the world, but by having a customer-centric approach with their products, especially on their Watches, they are helping their wearers to be healthy and are potentially saving lives!

So, do you wear an Apple Watch or are you thinking of investing in one of the Smart wearables? Did you know it benefitted your health as well as looking nice on your wrist? Let us know your thoughts by heading on over to our Twitter page @defibshop, or leave us a comment in our comments section below.

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