Apple this month has launched its ECG app on the Apple Watch Series providing the functionality to take an electrocardiogram and capture heart rhythms.
Apple said the ECG app and irregular heart rhythm notification feature will help identify signs of AFib, the most common form of irregular rhythm. When left untreated, AFib is one of the leading conditions that can result in stroke, the second most common cause of death around the world. The AF Association estimates there are around 1.5 million people in the UK living with atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm problem, but a third of these people may be unaware of this.
Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer said “Apple Watch has helped so many people around the world and we are humbled that it has become such an important part of our customers’ lives. With the release of these heart features, Apple Watch takes the next step in empowering people with more information about their health.”
To take an ECG recording at any time or following an irregular rhythm notification, users launch the new ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 and hold their finger on the Digital Crown. As the user touches the Digital Crown, the circuit is completed and electrical signals across their heart are measured. After 30 seconds, the heart rhythm is classified as either AFib, sinus rhythm or inconclusive. All recordings, their associated classifications and any noted symptoms are stored securely in the Health app on iPhone. Users can share a PDF of the results with physicians.
Martin Cowie, Professor of Cardiology at Imperial College London “It is exciting to see the potential of Apple Watch to provide an earlier indication of potential heart rhythm issues. Today, there are around 1.5 million people in the UK living with atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm problem, but a third of these people may be unaware of this. An on-demand pulse check and ECG could be a powerful tool in our ongoing quest to manage heart health better across Europe. The opportunity for innovation to optimise patient care is huge and this is a great step forward.”
In a study of 600 participants, it found the ECG app demonstrated 98.3 percent sensitivity in classifying AFib and 99.6 percent specificity in classifying sinus rhythm in classifiable recordings. In the study, 87.8 percent of recordings could be classified by the ECG app.
