Apple Heart Study

[GalaxyBoy]

Apple, in conjunction with Stanford Med School, has released the Apple Heart Study app for the Apple Watch. You may recall Tim Cook announcing this earlier this year as part of the keynote address that announced the Watch Series 3.

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The Apple Heart Study app uses data from Apple Watch to identify irregular heart rhythms, including those from potentially serious heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation. Apple is conducting this research study in collaboration with Stanford Medicine to improve the technology used to detect and analyze irregular heart rhythms, like atrial fibrillation - a leading cause of stroke.

 

[Alan]

I discovered my a-fib early through home monitoring of my blood pressure on an Omron bp monitor with “intellisense “ so I can see the benefits of having such a monitor on one’s wrist. I had no idea I had a such a problem until one night when a little shaky heart symbol appeared after taking my bp. I had to dig out the manual to see that the symbol meant irregular heart beat - see a doctor immediately.

 

[Bestwifeever]

Alan, so glad your heart issues were identified! Your world needs you.

The Apple Heart Study is an amazing example of how the data is out there to be used. Every time I log into a tracking program to enter my meals (I'm trying to lose 15 final lbs.), which is connected to my Fitbit (I am moving up to the Apple Watch as a reward to myself once I lose 15 final lbs. haha) and also to my weight, I think how interesting that there is so much research data out there now that we are able to easily provide and that research institutes can harvest (someone who wants to study 67-year-old women who eat chicken seven times a week and are moderately active but need to lose 15 final lbs. already can find my data). The data might not be perfect but it is probably close to what I would provide if i had signed up for a research study and used their monitoring equipment and reports.

 

[Alan]

Alan, so glad your heart issues were identified! Your world needs you.

I agree, my world just wouldn’t be the same without me

 

[HFWR]

“Your watch has determined that it’s necessary for us to cancel your health insurance...”

 

[Koolau]

“Your watch has determined that it’s necessary for us to cancel your health insurance...”

That was my first thought as well. If in doubt, see my tag line. YMMV

 

[audreyh1]

“Your watch has determined that it’s necessary for us to cancel your health insurance...”

The watch health data is encrypted and carefully guarded. So I suppose you should be careful sharing it with your medical provider?

 

[HFWR]

The watch health data is encrypted and carefully guarded. So I suppose you should be careful sharing it with your medical provider?

That was a bit of Orwellian humor...

 

[candrew]

You had me at apple

I came to this thread with thoughts of discussion around the benefits of eating apples in relation to heart health.

 

[kcowan]

I came to this thread hoping for some revelations. I got Alan's story but I also have several friends who have had afib detected without any device investment.

And I believe that concerns about data protection are also appreciated.

 

[razztazz]

I came to this thread with thoughts of discussion around the benefits of eating apples in relation to heart health.

Apples like all fruits are among the worst nutritional vectors and are best avoided or eaten in the smallest amounts. Nothing but sugar and calories and trace nutrients that are already being consumed in necessary quantities via other foods.

 

[candrew]

Apples like all fruits are among the worst nutritional vectors and are best avoided or eaten in the smallest amounts. Nothing but sugar and calories and trace nutrients that are already being consumed in necessary quantities via other foods.

My remark was intended as tongue-in-cheek, but thanks anyway for offering the nutritional advice.

 

[Alan]

On the recommendation of a friend I bought one of these for $99.
https://www.alivecor.com/?gclid=Cj0...a730vnoLKYOYlXpv5SWwqF93rmHIJSZIaAt0uEALw_wcB

It is a very easy to use little device that you just put down close to your phone and place your fingers on the 2 pads. When the recording is complete you can add notes, such as “feeling dizzy”, and I will add my BP which I take immediately before or after. You can then email a PDF of the trace to yourself or anyone. Optionally the summary data can be auto-saved in the Heart app on an iPhone.

Since my cardio dr has asked me to keep a log of the times I have irregular heart beats I will add a copy of the trace from this new device. I only just got the device so don’t yet have a trace of an irregular heart beat but I don’t expect it will be long before I can really see how it performs.

 

[braumeister]

On the recommendation of a friend I bought one of these for $99.
https://www.alivecor.com/?gclid=Cj0...a730vnoLKYOYlXpv5SWwqF93rmHIJSZIaAt0uEALw_wcB

I got one of those last year and use it about once a month, just out of curiosity. Never had an irregular heartbeat, but it seems to be nearly as effective as a normal EKG. Similar tracing, anyway.

 

[Nightcap]

I got one of those last year and use it about once a month, just out of curiosity. Never had an irregular heartbeat, but it seems to be nearly as effective as a normal EKG. Similar tracing, anyway.

I have a history of a-fib. My last electrocardioversion was about four years ago.

I ran the AliveCor Kardia for a while. In all honesty, I wasn't impressed. It's essentially a one-lead ECG with all the limitations that implies. Most of the time, my readings were inconclusive.

I was interested in Apple's study, but guess who's not eligible? People with a history of a-fib.