Apple has gradually introduced a boatload of health-related features on the Apple Watch. Numerous individuals have credited the wearable after it helped detect symptoms of a potential condition. According to the latest, the Apple Watch successfully detected atrial fibrillation in a 65-year-old man despite no family history of the heart condition or symptoms.
Apple Watch helps detect atrial fibrillation in a 65-year-old man who did not realize he had a heart condition
Apple added atrial fibrillation to the Apple Watch a few years ago, and the feature has helped numerous users with detection and symptoms. According to Post and Courier, 65-year-old Jeff Priest was sitting on his couch when the Apple Watch detected the condition. However, Jeff did not take the notification seriously as he had no health problems and no family history related to the condition. However, Jeff's wife Ellen took it seriously and sought medical attention.
Jeff Priest was sitting on the couch when an alert popped up on his Apple Watch, telling him he had a sudden heart condition called atrial fibrillation. For a man with no health problems and no family history, there could only be one conclusion:
“I thought there was something wrong with the watch,” said Priest, 65, retired provost of University of South Carolina Aiken. “I wasn’t feeling bad, I was feeling my normal self.”
But his wife, Ellen, took it more seriously.
If you are unfamiliar, atrial fibrillation is a heart condition where the upper champers of the heart do not beat in sync with the lower chambers, according to Apple. While some people can experience difficulties, Jeff did not feel any irregularities. It is surprising to see how the Apple Watch detected the condition without Jeff realizing it. It allowed Jeff to receive proper medical treatment on time, and he could manage the condition from then on.
“I wasn’t having any symptoms,” he said. The staff kept asking, ” ‘Your chest doesn’t hurt?’ No. ‘You can’t feel your heart racing?’ No.”
They let them go home hours later after medications got him stabilized. But when he saw Schneider two days later, he was still in atrial fibrillation, even though he still did not feel bad. She kept him on the medications but made an appointment for him to get his heart shocked back into a normal rhythm. He got permission to go to a golf tournament, and in the middle of it he suddenly felt things return to normal.
“I checked on my watch and I was” out of atrial fibrillation, Jeff said. The shock became unnecessary.
As mentioned, this is not the first time the Apple Watch has helped individuals with different health conditions. Additionally, the company is adding more health-related features to the mix with upgraded models of the wearable each year. We are anticipating a major redesign for this year's Apple Watch as the company celebrates 10 years. The company could adopt the same approach as it did with the iPhone X in 2017. However, it is too early to conclude as the final word rests with Apple. We will share more details on the subject as soon as further details are available.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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