The ECG via the Smartwatch and mobile phone

10 years ago, efforts were ridiculed, to develop ECG recording devices for the home. Today, the latest Generation of the Apple Watch is equipped with an application (App), which allows an electrocardiogram (ECG) for 30 seconds to record. Some of the recordings for the physician can be recorded as a kind of Event recorder and the App heart detects rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation, and can give appropriate warnings. Especially in the case of atrial fibrillation, early diagnosis is important to prevent serious consequences such as a stroke. „The mobile ECG in watches is a Segen“, to say, therefore, cardiologists. A recent study has investigated the Use.

A research team at the Stanford University School of Medicine, noted in the current study, that the use of the Apple Watch could lead to improved detection of an irregular heartbeat. The results of the study were presented at this year’s Meeting of the American College of Cardiology in New Orleans.

Early detection of atrial fibrillation by a clock?

According to data from Apple Inc. funded large study was able to detect the Apple Watch, an irregular heartbeat, which is a further investigation of possible problems with the heart rhythm. This technology can be used in the future, hopefully in the early detection of atrial fibrillation, the most common Form of irregular heartbeat. People with atrial fibrillation suffer five times more likely to have a stroke, compared with normal healthy individuals.

Study had more than 400,000 participants

In the current study, over 400,000 Users and users of the Apple Watches part. Of these Participants, approximately 0.5 percent, or approximately 2,000 subjects received notifications about an irregular pulse. For these people, a so-called ECG Patch (electrocardiography) was sent to the subsequent detection of episodes of atrial fibrillation. A third of watches which Participants use where an irregular pulse was detected, could be detected using the ECG technology atrial fibrillation. The results also showed that 57 percent of Participants who had received a warning on your watch, then a doctor.

Also in Germany, the ECG function is now available

The information from the study can be combined with the assessment of electrocardiography, and finally, clinical decisions used, explain the authors. In the current study, the new series 4 of the Apple Watch has not yet been used, because this was only after the beginning of the study available. This watch has the ability to create an electrocardiogram, to detect heart problems and required the approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The availability of the new ECG feature is controlled by Apple through the setting to the Region. In Germany and the Rest of the EU, the ECG is the function of the watch since the 27. March also available.

Use of portable technology has a great potential

The study is an important first step to find out how such technologies can be used on evidence-based manner. The use of the data of everyday devices in the treatment of patients should, however, be done with caution, rates involved in the study researchers. Generally, this type of technology but I have a large future potential. Atrial fibrillation is only the beginning, as this study opens the door for further research on wearable technologies and their applications.

The use of these devices can prevent diseases before they occur, the future will show. “The performance and accuracy we observed in this study provide important information to the potential impact of portable technology on the health care system to verstehen“, study author Professor Marco Perez of Stanford University in a press release explained.

And so, the Apple Watch works with ECG

There are certain requirements that must be adhered to. First of all: make Sure that the ECG App in your country or Region is available and that you are in the country or Region in which you purchased your device. You can update your iPhone to the latest iOS Version and your Apple Watch to the current watchOS Version. The ECG App is not designed for use by persons under the age of 22. You can always record an ECG, or only if certain symptoms, such as palpitations or stumble can be felt, or if you have other General concerns about the health of the heart. The watch can also automatically alert, that the pulse is irregular. (as)