Apple has shared a new Apple Watch ad showing how its ECG feature helped an athlete named Connor discover signs of a serious heart problem while training for a triathlon.
Connor noticed that his heart rate had become unusually fast during training. He opened the ECG app on his Apple Watch to check his heart rhythm, and the reading showed signs of atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib.
Doctors discovered a congenital heart condition
After the Apple Watch ECG result, Connor sought medical attention. Doctors later found that he had a congenital heart condition that required open-heart surgery. Connor has since recovered and returned to training.
Don’t miss the best of The Mac Observer
Set us as a preferred source and our Apple reporting ranks higher in your Google Search results and Discover feed — one tap, no account changes.
Apple Watch cannot diagnose every heart condition, but its ECG app can record a single-lead electrocardiogram and check the recording for signs of AFib. Apple says users can also take an ECG when they experience symptoms such as a rapid or skipped heartbeat.
The ECG app is available on Apple Watch Series 4 and later models with the required electrical heart sensor, as well as Apple Watch Ultra models. Apple Watch SE models do not support the ECG feature.
Connor’s story is another example of Apple highlighting health features that can give users useful information to share with a medical professional when something appears unusual.
Discussion