

Untreated, AFib doubles the risk of heart-related death and increases a person's chance of having a stroke fivefold.Īpple considered this development so important that it invited Dr. “This is an exciting technology which hopefully can help to alleviate the public health burden of AFib by diagnosing it earlier and taking steps to prevent complications,” he said.ĪFib affects up to 6.1 million people in the United States, a number that researchers expect will double by 2050. He had not seen the device or learned any details beyond the basics provided by Apple. Lin Yee Chen, co-director of the Atrial Fibrillation Center at University of Minnesota Health Heart Care. “This can be an addition to our growing armamentarium to diagnose AFib, which can be intermittent and asymptomatic,” said Dr. Having it accessible through the watch could lead to quicker diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, an irregular and often rapid heart rate that can increase a person’s risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. Usually, it takes several electrodes patches stuck to a person’s chest to get this information. To a layman, these are the squiggly lines across a monitor. Often referred to as an EKG or ECG, this is how health care providers check the electricity in a patient’s heart. The Apple Watch 4 that was unveiled Wednesday will include electrocardiogram testing. There will soon be another way to monitor your heart from your wrist. The Apple Watch 4 will include electrocardiogram testing. (Courtesy of Apple) National Hypertension Control Initiative.Pets and Your Health / Healthy Bond for Life.
