How to use ECG on Apple Watch

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To take an ECG recording at any time or following an irregular rhythm notification, users open the new ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 or later and hold their finger on the Digital Crown.

As the user touches the Digital Crown, the circuit is completed and electrical signals across their heart are measured. 

After 30 seconds, the heart rhythm is classified as either AFib, sinus rhythm or inconclusive.

All recordings, their associated classifications and any noted symptoms are stored securely in the Health app on iPhone.

Users can then share a PDF of the results with their physicians.

With watchOS 6, the irregular rhythm notification feature will use the optical heart sensor to occasionally check the user’s heart rhythm in the background for signals of an irregular heart rhythm that appears to be Afib. If irregular heart rhythm such as Afib is identified on five rhythm checks over a minimum of 65 minutes, a notification will be generated to alert the user.

The ECG app’s ability to accurately classify an ECG recording into AFib and sinus rhythm was validated in a clinical trial of around 600 participants.

 The study found the ECG app on Apple Watch demonstrated 98.3 per cent sensitivity in classifying AFib and 99.6 per cent specificity in classifying sinus rhythm in classifiable recordings. The irregular rhythm notification feature was recently studied in the Apple Heart Study. With over 400,000 participants, the Apple Heart Study was the largest screening study on atrial fibrillation ever conducted.

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Apple watch 5 launched but should you upgrade?

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Apple released an entirely new Apple Watch Series 5 which slipped under the radar because it isn’t all that different from its predecessor. The available display sizes remain 40mm and 44mm, and the battery life still clocks in at 18 hours. The starting price of $399 remains the same, and features like the built-in ECG and fall detector work on both models. And as is the case with all Apple Watch models, you can easily attach your favorite bands from the Series 4.

You’ll see the biggest differences when you flip it on, although these differences may not be enough to have you rush out and preorder one right now.

Retina display

This is the biggest difference for some that’s enough to warrant an upgrade. Series 5 has an always-on Retina display, which means the display stays visible even if you don’t touch it or lift it to your face. To optimize battery usage, the display dims when you’re not looking at it, but it won’t actually turn off.

Apple accomplished this by including a light sensor, an energy-efficient display driver, and a low-temperature polysilicone and oxide display.

More storage

If you listen to music and podcasts a lot Series 5 will make a nice upgrade, as it comes with 32GB of storage over the Series 4’s paltry 16GB. That’s a lot for a watch, though, especially when there aren’t many Apple Watch apps that come close to demanding that kind of room. Chances are you won’t need it.

It’s faster

The Series 4 was already way faster than previous models, but Apple equipped the Series 5 with an S5 system-on-chip processor to replace the S4. This should certainly result in faster and better app performance.

Compass

If you’re fond of hiking or exploring, you’ll like this feature. The Series 5 comes with a built-in compass that displays your elevation, incline, longitude, and latitude. It’ll also show which direction you’re heading in. Just keep in mind that it probably only works as long as you have an internet connection.

Emergency calls in other countries

This could be a big reason to upgrade if you often travel internationally. In the past, you could only make emergency calls from a cellular-model Apple Watch if you were in the country where you actually bought the watch. With the Series 5, though, the emergency calling feature works regardless of which country you’re in. This feature will also work if you have fall detection activated on your Apple Watch.

Titanium or Ceramic

There were rumors about Apple Watch would come with ceramic and titanium case options, and it was widely believed they would merely be new options for the Series 4. But they’re here now for the Series 5, and the poor Series 4 misses out on the fun. For $799, you can get the titanium model to match your Apple Card, and $1,299 will once again let you enjoy the Apple Watch Edition casing that Apple discontinued last year. As before, you can also buy the Apple Watch in aluminum or stainless steel.

None of these are earthshaking changes, and you’ll be perfectly fine sticking with a Series 4 unless you really like that always-on display or you think you’ll need emergency calling on your next trip.

If you’re an owner of a Series 3 or earlier, go ahead and take the plunge. The speed should be considerably better, and you’ll get cool recent features like the built-in ECG and fall detector, built into an overall better watch than the Series 4.

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