Finally, Apple is now clear to bring its ECG (Electrocardiogram) feature to Apple Watches in European countries such as the UK.
It’s been almost 5 months since it had been available only in the United States – following tests with FDA (Food and Drug Administration) – but now it has started moving to the other parts of the world.
Apple has said that Electrocardiogram capability outside the US will only be available on their Apple Watch 4 – as it’s backed by electrodes built into a Digital Crown and rear of a Watch.
However, atrial fibrillation (AF, chambers of a heart are beating out of sync and can cause strokes) will be brought to all models which are capable to monitor for irregular heart rhythms.
Based on a report from AF Association, there are almost 1.5 million people all over the UK alone with AF – but 500,000 only undiagnosed – and that’s where Apple is aiming that amazing feature.
However, most are retired, which for buyers of the Apple Watch has not traditionally been a key demographic.
If you are a user of Apple Watch 4 and feel something untoward with your heartbeat, you can take a 30 second ECG test and the results are saved on an iPhone in the health app which then can be shared with the doctor via PDF. This feature is being implemented in the context of the now available WatchOS 5.2 update
