What health conditions can Apple Watch detect?
Apple Watch has been a good fitness tracking tool since its launch in 2015. With each subsequent generation, additional hardware features have been acquired. Apple's latest watches can detect and monitor some different health conditions.
Warning:
Apple Watch is not a medical device
First, I must mention two big caveats. In no case is the Apple Watch a substitute for your doctor, nor the Internet, nor am I (see my bio: I'm just a writer).
This article will give you an overview of the different health conditions that your Apple Watch can detect. Just keep in mind that the device cannot diagnose you. If you are at all concerned about the different readings or results you get from any of the sensors, contact your doctor.
Also, the Apple Watch is still relatively new. A lot of research is still being done (you can even participate if you wish) about the conditions that can be observed. Of course, we won't see the results of those studies for some time.
Apple Watch is not a medical device - it is a smartwatch. If you have a condition (or are worried about) that needs to be monitored, you know what to do: contact your doctor.
Now, let's take a look at everything that the Apple Watch can discover right now (with research to support it).
High and low heart rate
Apple Watch has two ways to measure heart rate:
Apple Watch Series 1 or later: Uses an optical heart rate sensor.
Apple Watch Series 4 or later (except for the first SE model introduced in 2020): Uses the electrical heart rate sensor used in the ECG app.
Every clock that has it, an optical heart rate sensor can detect if you have an abnormally high or low heart rate. By default, if your heart rate remains above 120 beats per minute after 10 minutes of inactivity or drops below 40 beats per minute for 10 minutes, you will receive a notification.
If you want to change the thresholds, you can do so in the Watch app on your iPhone. Simply go to "Heart" and select a new value for "High Heart Rate" and "Low Heart Rate".
The electrocardiogram sensor only works when using the ECG app. They're like the beeps you see in medical dramas, and they require a more accurate measurement of your heart's rhythm. If you have intermittent heart symptoms — such as skipping a heartbeat or an accelerated heart rate — you can record an ECG using the app, then share it with your doctor. During a telemedicine consultation, your doctor may ask you to use them.
Keep in mind, while monitoring your heart rate, that what is normal for one person may be abnormal for another. For example, I don't have low heart rate alerts turned on because I have a relatively low heart rate – it hovers just under 45 beats per minute.
For another person, a heart rate of less than 50 beats per minute may be a cause for concern. Similarly, high heart rate alerts only trigger if your heart rate is high and you are inactive. So, don't worry - you won't go off if you go jogging.
Always remember, if you are worried about anything, contact your doctor.
Arrhythmia
In addition to your heart rate, the Apple Watch can also measure your heart rhythm. In particular, it examines atrial fibrillation (AFib), which occurs when the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly. It can be a serious medical condition or a symptom of a symptom.
The Apple Watch can be especially useful with AFib because it can detect intermittent events. Conditions like AFib can be difficult to diagnose because they don't always occur when you're sitting comfortably in the doctor's office.
Again, there is a huge dose of warnings with this feature:
The Apple Watch's ability to detect irregular heart rate has been supported by a large-scale, but not consistently measured study. You can have an AFib and never receive a notification. There may also be false positives, which means you get a notification but don't have an AFib.
This feature is only available in certain countries due to different requirements. In Australia, for example, the Apple Watch must be approved as a medical device to enable this feature.
It is not intended for use on people under the age of 22, or those who have already been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.
You should also enable irregular heart rate detection. To do this, open the Health app on your iPhone, go to Heart> Arrhythmia notifications, then tap Set Up Notifications. You will then have to provide some information to confirm that it is suitable for you to use.
WARNING: Apple Watch doesn't monitor heart attacks. If you experience any symptoms of a heart attack, seek medical attention immediately.
Warns you of noisy environments
Hearing loss does not usually occur quickly, but develops slowly over time. The more time you spend in noisy environments, the more likely things will get worse. However, you can do something to prevent this.
The Noise app (available on Apple Watch SE, Series 4 or later) can measure the background volume and let you know if it rises above a certain threshold (80 dB, by default). Then you can use earplugs or go to a quieter place. At the very least, you'll know you're likely to ruin your ears.
To set up this feature or change the minimum, go to Settings> Noise on your watch.
Detects when you fall
Seniors are not the ones who need to worry about slipping or falling. A person can fall off his bike, slip into the bathroom, or get off the ladder. Fortunately, the Apple Watch can tell when this happens and automatically call emergency services, which can save your life.
As always, there are some caveats. There's no guarantee that your Apple Watch will detect all falls. You can also launch false positives, especially if you are young and active.
When you set up your watch, you will be given the option to enable drop detection. If you don't or want to re-check, here's how.
What does the future look like
The Apple Watch Series 6 added a blood oxygen sensor (SPO2), a feature that is now also found in the Apple Watch Series 7. At the moment, it is explicitly considered a fitness and wellness tool, not a medical or health monitoring feature. However, we can safely assume that this will change in the future. Low blood oxygen saturation levels are associated with common conditions, such as asthma, sleep apnea, and COVID-19.
Apple recently announced studies on a variety of health conditions, including asthma, heart failure, flu, and COVID-19. Just a few years ago, a research paper showed how the Apple Watch can predict diabetes and high blood pressure .