The Apple Watch is not only a connected watch, it is a real sports watch taking care of our health. With the Apple Watch Series 4, this is even more the case thanks to its fall detection and the possibility of doing an ECG.
Prerequisites
In France, ECG is available on condition that you have at least:
- An Apple Watch Series 4 running watchOS 5.2;
- An iPhone 5s running iOS 12.2;
- The application Sant on iPhone.
If you are in another country, please refer to list of countries where ECG is available.
What is an ECG?
An ECG is an electrocardiogram. This medical examination allows you to analyze the functioning of your heart. Thus, the rhythm and intensity of the electrical signals that allow the heart beat are recorded. This allows the doctor to detect certain irregularities such as atrial fibrillation.
The Apple Watch Series 4 has a heart rate monitor that allows it to record an ECG.
Precaution for use
An ECG remains a medical examination which should not be done by anyone under the age of 22, except by a healthcare professional.
Even if the analysis does not reveal anything abnormal, but you do not feel well, you must go to consult, that in no way replaces medical follow-up. Conversely, if the result is not conclusive, it is possible that the intake is bad, you will need to consult to be reassured or diagnosed after examinations. Doctors have more specific ECGs. The Apple Watch LECG is equivalent to a 1-lead ECG while the doctors use 12 leads therefore 12 traces. However, doctors use 1-lead ECGs for home and independent monitoring of the patient.
Also avoid falling into the watch syndrome, do not do it unnecessarily and too often, it can become anxiety and distort the results.
Do not perform this ECG immediately after or during physical exertion.
The main purpose of the ECG on the Apple Watch is to detect atrial fibrillationss or follow this chronic disease already diagnosed. Indeed, in the initial registration must be done when you are not well, which is not necessarily the case at the time of the appointment with the doctor.
Apple Watch LECG does not detect :
- Other forms of arrhythmia or other heart problems;
- Heart attacks;
- Clots, strokes
step 1: how to do an ECG with Apple Watch
1.1. Installation
Before you start the ECG, you and your Apple Watch must be properly installed.
1.1.1. The watch and the arm that wears it must be clean and dry;
1.1.2. You must be seated, calm and relaxed;
1.1.3. The arm, where there is the watch, should be placed on your thigh or a table;
1.1.4. Your Apple Watch should be securely attached to your wrist; it should not move too much or compress your arm;
1.1.5. On your watch, go to Settings > General > Orientation and check that the indications are correct.
Note: also find these settings on your phone in the application Watch, tab My watch then General > Orientation.
1.2. Taking the measurement
Now that you are ready, you will be able to do your ECG.
1.2.1. Prepare your iPhone
Start by preparing your iPhone for ECG recording:
1.2.1.1. Open Sant ;
1.2.1.2. If the window News from Sant poster, press Configure the ECG app, otherwise go to Donns Sant > Cur > electrocardiogram (ECG) ;
1.2.1.3. Follow the setup instructions;
1.2.1.4. Open the application ECG.
1.2.2. Use the Apple Watch
You, your installation and your iPhone ready, it's Apple Watch's turn to take action:
1.2.2.1. Open the application ECG ;
1.2.2.2. using your second arm, press and hold the Digital Crown for 30 seconds of the recording;
1.2.2.3. Wait for the recording time;
1.2.2.4. Once registration is complete, it is categorized;
1.2.2.5. (optional) Add your possible symptoms by pressing Add symptoms then do Save ;
1.2.2.6. Validate with okay.
Step 2: Analyze the ECG taken with the Apple Watch
Your ECG is finished and saved, it's time to read the results. They are classified into 4 categories, regularity and beats per minute (bpm) are taken into account. These results are only valid at the time of registration.
2.1. Sinus rhythm : your heart beats regularly between 50 and 100 bpm;
2.2. Atrial fibrillation (FA) is the most common form of severe arrhythmia. Your heart rate is irregular between 50 and 120 bpm. If you are not diagnosed, talk to your doctor;
2.3. Slow or fast heart rate : your heart rate is below 50 bpm or above 120 bpm. This result is considered inconclusive.
2.4. Unsuccessful result informs you of the impossibility of correctly analyzing and categorizing the recording.
Remember that your heart rate can change depending on your health, the presence of a pacemaker, the exact location of your heart, stress, medication, the environment, the position of the Apple Watch. This ECG does not replace a real medical exam. Also trust what you feel.
step 3: export to transmit your data
These results are saved in the application Sant from your iPhone. You can export them to PDF to send them to your doctor.
3.1. Open Sant ;
3.2. Press on Give Sant, at the bottom of the screen;
3.3. Press Cur > electrocardiogram (ECG) ;
3.4. Touch an ECG result then Export a PDF for your doctor.
Although accuracy is proven, before taking these results for granted, consult a doctor. A normal rhythm if you experience symptoms, including a heart attack, does not necessarily mean that everything is fine. If you have been diagnosed with AF, you may have a follow-up with additional irregular rhythm notifications.
