How Accurate is the ECG on Your Apple Watch?

Innovation and the advancement of new technologies in this generation have made smartwatches an integral part of daily life. In the US, 13% of people wear smartwatches. The numbers are expected to rise even more in the coming years. Apple watches rank at the top of the market in terms of popularity in the smartwatches segment.

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Worldwide, the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. It stands to reason that new technology makes it possible to screen diseases efficiently, thereby preventing illness and saving lives. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a standard tool to detect various cardiac abnormalities.

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Modern mobile ECG devices can monitor and record patients' heart activity for several hours. The Apple Watch is a portable wearable device that detects heart rhythms and even has approval from the US FDA for screening and detecting atrial fibrillation (also called AF or Afib).

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A Brief History of Apple Watch ECG

Apple added an electrocardiogram (ECG) heart measurement feature in 2018, and ever since, it has been saving lives.

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The ECG feature is available on

• Apple Watch Series 4-10.

• Ultra ½.

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The ECG readings allow users to obtain medical-grade, FDA-approved insights into their heart rhythm.

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The Apple Watch has a sensor for the heart rate on the

• underside of the watch's.

• digital crown.

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It records a 30-second reading to monitor the heart's rhythm. It helps to detect signs of atrial fibrillation by checking if the heart's chambers beat in sync. Detection sensitivity for atrial fibrillation is greatly increased by using short, intermittent ECG recordings.

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Photoplethysmography (PPG) and the Apple Watch

Apple Watches work on Photoplethysmography (PPG). It is a non-invasive optical technique. It measures changes in blood volume within the skin. Green, red, or infrared LEDs emit light into the skin, which is absorbed or reflected by the blood vessels as the heart pumps blood through the body.

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The volume of the blood flowing in the capillaries varies. PPG sensors detect these variations, converting them into a waveform. The Apple Watch has sensors located on the underside of the watch case. The sensors use photodiodes to detect changes in green light absorption caused by moving blood, which helps to measure.

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• Heart rate.

• Heart rate variability.

• Irregular rhythm notifications (such as atrial fibrillation alerts).

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PPG in the Apple Watch tracks heart rate throughout the day during regular activities and alerts the wearer of abnormalities. PPG, with the ECG app and activity tracking, provides a complete picture of cardiovascular wellness in a convenient wearable form.

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How do you Take Readings with the Apple Watch ECG?

• After completing the initial setup, take the ECG by going into the ECG app on the watch.

• Take care that the ECG watch is neither too loose nor too tight, and rest your arm on a table so that it is still.

• Touch the digital crown with the index finger from the opposite hand. 

• A real-time graphic representation of heart rate after a timer counts for 30 seconds will get you the results.

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Apple Watch ECG vs Hospital ECG

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What can it detect?

The Apple Watch is designed to detect Afib, a common and dangerous heart rhythm disorder. It detects if the upper and lower heart chambers are in sync. If they are not, the users are alerted to an irregular rhythm. Apple Watch has shown promising results; it correctly identifies signs of Afib and sinus rhythm. The watch detects the same irregularity as a Hospital ECG.

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Where it falls short?

The Apple ECG uses a single electrode as compared to a hospital ECG machine that uses 12 leads, providing a much more comprehensive view of the heart’s electrical activity. This means the watch may not detect all heart conditions or abnormalities. It isn’t a replacement for professional diagnosis; while it can only offer warnings, a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan can only be given by a healthcare provider.

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How Accurate are Apple Watch ECGs?

Apple watches were evaluated to check the effectiveness in detecting atrial fibrillation among patients. It was found Apple watches demonstrated high accuracy, 93.5% and 100%, in identifying atrial fibrillation and sinus rhythm.

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Role of Apple Watches

• The Apple Watch is a leader in the wearable technology market. The number of users is expected to increase by over a billion, and it is recognized as a class II medical device by the FDA.

• An increased rate of cardiovascular diseases among the population and a shortage of healthcare professionals make these watches an innovative solution for patient monitoring.

• Photoplethysmography and single-lead electrocardiography gather biosignals and help in the continuous monitoring of vital signs in the real world, and collect data.

• Apple Watch is an important tool for the early detection and monitoring of heart conditions, but its medical reliability and applications require further validation.

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Conclusion

The Apple Watch ECG is a step forward in monitoring heart health. It helps the user track their heart and seek help when needed; it’s useful for people at risk of Afib or those who experience nice palpitations; however, like any other health tool, it works best when used in conjunction with professional medical advice. Gauze helps you track these abnormal rhythms from your Apple Watch.