I have no affiliation to Apple but I do really like my watch series 6 for tracking my heart rate, this new capability sound excellent (source apple website press release)
First-of-Its-Kind AFib History
Currently, the ECG app and irregular rhythm notification on Apple Watch can identify potential signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Left untreated, AFib is one of the leading conditions that can result in stroke.
Research suggests that the amount of time spent in AFib may impact a person’s symptoms, overall quality of life, and risk of complications. Previously, there has not been an easy way to track the frequency of AFib over an extended period of time, or to manage lifestyle factors that may influence one’s condition. According to the American Heart Association, addressing modifiable lifestyle factors may decrease the amount of time spent in AFib.1
With watchOS 9, users who are diagnosed with AFib can turn on the FDA-cleared AFib History feature2 and access important information, including an estimate of how frequently a user’s heart rhythm shows signs of AFib, providing deeper insights into their condition. Users will also receive weekly notifications to understand frequency and view a detailed history in the Health app, including lifestyle factors that may influence AFib, like sleep, alcohol consumption, and exercise.
Users can download a PDF with a detailed history of their AFib and lifestyle factors, which can easily be shared with doctors and care providers for more informed conversations.
There is also a medicine tracker ( source apple website press release)
The new Medications experience on Apple Watch and iPhone helps users manage and track their medications, vitamins, and supplements, allowing them to create a medications list, set up schedules and reminders, and view information on their medications in the Health app. The Medications app on Apple Watch makes it easy for users to conveniently and discreetly track medications anytime, anywhere.
Custom schedules can be created for each medication, whether it needs to be taken multiple times a day, once a week, or as needed, and users can set up reminders to help keep them on track. In the US, users can receive an alert if there are potential critical interactions with medications they have added to the Health app.3
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I have the same watch ! I bought it on next day delivery after my hospital admission. Initially when I first started my meds it would pick up AF runs but I have since had them ruled out by cardiologist, it was great I was able to send him my readings. It was picking up something but more so as I had just started my medication and things were very unsettled and I do only have SVT. So if made sense. I was very grateful for the information and I feel confident in the knowledge that I can ECG any time I like and I always get Sinus mode. It’s a great watch and I really endorse it 😊 xx
Thanks for the update. First of all, I love my Apple Watch and use it all the time, but I have reservations about the new OS9 tracking features mentioned in cited press release, which I will get to in a moment.
But for those unfamiliar, there are two distinct functions on the Apple Watch pertinent to those of us with afib.
First, there is the ecg function, which is similar to the Kardia. Here, you are required to manually initiate an ecg by activating the program and placing a finger on the crown of the watch. This produces an ecg which Apple will analyze automatically, within limits and you can also send to your doctor. It does not run in the background and therefore no tracking takes place.
The second function, now being promoted with OS9, seems to be a similar but upgraded background function from the earlier OS's that tracks when you are in afib and/or have a fast or slow heart rate. This function uses green LED lights to capture your heart rate and rhythm at your wrist.
In concept it's a great idea and it even sometimes works, but I've found it to be quite unreliable at times and in fact, it's not unusual for me to have a six hour afib episode with no notifications at all that I was in afib. I have never had it notify me with a one or two hour episode. This has to do with the limited technology of the sensor and also the fact that it does not check for afib continually but only once in a while. Likewise, the heart rate function can also be quite inaccurate when in afib, although I use it daily for working out when in sinus rhythm. Frankly, I'm surprised these functions were given FDA approval and there are not more user warnings from Apple, as opposed to promoting these features as some sort of reliable way to manage afib when they are really not ready for prime time. Irresponsible.
So again, the Watch is a great tool for many things including generating an ecg, but don't expect too much else from it, afib wise, because while it may pick up afib a certain percentage of the time, other times it will not, giving you a false sense of security.
And while we're on the subject, a shout out to the Kardia devices, which I also use. Both the Apple Watch and Kardia can work very well in concert, but if I had to choose only one for afib purposes alone, I would go with the Kardia. The ecg tracings are a bit crisper, the connection, once made faster and with the Kardia 6L, you can generate a six-lead ecg with more information compared to the single lead tracing from the Apple Watch.
Great insight! I also have a 6 lead Kardia and use it for more detailed readings but do like my watch for when out and about and tracking my heart rate. I think I read somewhere that the Apple Watch I have (6) only checks for afib every 45 mins and notifies you only after 4 consecutive afib readings, for me being persistent this felt like it was notifying me all the time but I imagine not helpful if you are paroxysmal.
I agree with everything you said. I, in fact, have never had a notification from apple when I’m in AFib. I have the setting on but never get the notification. I use my Apple Watch 6 for the ecgs and heart rate but I prefer the Kardia to track what’s going on as I trust it more and can get additional arrhythmias like ectopics and stuff. I also don’t have much respect for the FDA and their approvals. They like all the other alphabet agencies in the US are politically driven these days.
But in thinking it over, in this case, maybe Apple was able to bypass the FDA on their afib tracking claims because it does not involve the ecg function on the watch.
I'm still surprised and disappointed that there are not clearer and more prominent disclaimers about this often inaccurate feature. To the contrary, they shamelessly promote the feature as a breakthrough.
From a population point of view, as mentioned, I'm sure the Watch does pick up people with afib who otherwise would not know it. But from an individual point of view, for someone who has afib, a very unreliable way of tracking your episodes.
I have my Apple Watch to thank for spotting my A Fib, just this February. If I had known what would happen, I might have splashed out on the model that does ECGs. Mine detects the A Fib quite well though. It’s an SE, and I’ve just looked it up after seeing your message, and unfortunately the history doesn’t work with this one. I guess it needs the ECG capability.However, I do have all the notifications in my Health App, so I can summarise the info before I visit cardiology.
When I first saw my EP 18 months ago he said they were getting more and more patients who had afib picked up by their watch. He said it is pretty accurate so a good screening device. Pleased you know before it has gone too far 👍👍
Thanks! I suspect I’ve had it for a while. Though I must have been clear from getting the watch in October, until mid February. Since then I’ve had episodes at the beginning of May and then again after just four weeks. Both of these last two went on for about 8 days, despite the dronedarone. So, I am a bit concerned that it’s getting into the persistent category already.I can now tell that I have it, before I get the warning on the watch. I’ve also noticed that my heart rate variability shoots up - so I have an interesting graph with big spikes!
I should be grateful that I’m not too symptomatic, and protected by anticoagulants now.
It’s a very useful device . I wish it diagnosed more than AF though, as the Kardia does (although even then very limited).
I hope you’re continuing to mend from your recent op!
Steve
This is really exciting! I actually still have my trusty series 4, and have history because I've been "blessed" with the ability to feel every single thing my heart does other than beat normally. Every ectopic, every run of afib/tachycardia, if it slows down - everything - I can feel it acutely, and I take an EKG each time so I can see the history of Afib/fast and slow heart beat etc - this is how I pinpointed that part of what causes my issues is vitamin D (nearly all of my episodes are in winter). I may try to see if my 4 holds up for awhile longer and get the 9 at some point anyway, that's an awesome extra feature.
I'm a bit late to this thread but thanks for the information! I need to look into this new capability.
I really love my Apple watch. I got it for my birthday in April 2021 to help motivate me and track my activity levels which it's done admirably. I did an ECG when I first had it but on seeing the disclaimer that it doesn't tell you if you're having a heart attack I couldn't really see the point of it and thought it was just a gimmick.
When my first episode of of AFib struck a couple of months later it was totally clear to me immediately that something very strange...and uncomfortable...was happening but I had no idea what it was, then remembered the ECG on my watch and hey presto, there it was...AFib, oh joy. I'd never even heard of it.
Since then it's been a life saver. Like someone else mentioned, I feel everything my heart does but after an episode of AFib I'm really paranoid for weeks after and a simple ECG on my watch reassures me that all is well. It's enabled me to feel so much more in control of my situation. If it wasn't for that I think I'd be running off to A & E every 5 minutes! Also I love being able to track my history and send various charts to the Dr if necessary.
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