Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Do I need ECG or is it a gimmick?
- Thread starter Lizziejh
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Not a gimmick. As to whether you need it that is a personal decision. Do you need to monitor noise levels, heart rate, etc.? Only you (or your doctor) can decide.
Apple_Robert
Contributor
I have found AoD doesn't run the watch down too quickly.
ECG is no gimmick. I run it every month (or when I remember) just to make sure there is nothing creeping up on me. Your doctor can better advise you on that. I do use the noise level monitoring and heart rate.
ECG is no gimmick. I run it every month (or when I remember) just to make sure there is nothing creeping up on me. Your doctor can better advise you on that. I do use the noise level monitoring and heart rate.
Runs For Fun
macrumors 65816
ECG is definitely not a gimmick. There's tons of stories of it alerting people to AFIB and they didn't even know they had it. I love the AoD and I find it doesn't really affect the battery much.
Thanks. I’m just amazed the ECG can be accurate from a watch on the wrist.
As an older person, it’s probably good to keep a check on my heart.
As an older person, it’s probably good to keep a check on my heart.
You just have to bear in mind that ECG is currently only warning of atrial fibrillation. There's far more a cardiologist can learn from an ECG than that.
As I see it, this is "enabling technology" - once the hardware capability has been installed it opens the door to all sorts of other software-enabled capabilities.
Due to many countries' laws regarding medical diagnostic products, those capabilities have to be thoroughly tested before they can be released to the public. So, the Apple Watch's ability to detect afib and other heart issues is no gimmick - it's just one of the first of many possible uses that has made it all the way through the legal/medical testing and licensing process. There will be more in the future.
Unlike the ECG in the doctor's office, the Watch is with you at all times. Unlike the heart rate monitor you may have in your bedroom, this one is monitoring your heart whenever the Watch is on your wrist. Not only does this mean you can catch potential crises as they occur, but your Watch is also collecting that data continuously - there's a whole lot a physician can learn when being able to view a large, long-term data set compared to what can be collected during a brief office visit.
So is it as accurate? Absolute accuracy isn't really the point. It's like the proverbial tree that falls in the forest. Of course it makes a sound. The trick is being there to hear it. It may not be as accurate or sensitive as a laboratory-grade medical device, but it's certainly good enough to be an early warning system.
Yes there's an option to turn it off, with always on display it's dim then brightens up when you raise your wrist or tap the screen.
xraydoc
Contributor
I don't believe the SE has an always-on screen. The Series 6 does (as does the Series 5). But yes, you can turn it off if you wish.
Howard2k
macrumors 604
Definitely not a gimmick.
I know heart surgeons that bought a Apple Watch because they were so impressed with its accuracy and health features.
BugeyeSTI
macrumors 604
EKG is no gimmick, fall detection is another nice feature for older individuals...
MisterSavage
macrumors 603
You don't need to be qualified to read the results for it to tell you are or are not currently in aFib. It's extremely useful to aFib people.
Allyance
Contributor
An other feature you would be interested in is the "Fall" detection. It can detect a fall and if you are incapacitated it will call an EMS and a designated family member. It works, I fell on a slippery sidewalk because my crocs were worn out, it reminded me I fell and I cancelled the EMS call right away. I ride a motorcycle and I felt that if I had a problem, I couldn't always get my iPhone out of my pocket. I keep track of my heart functions as well.
I definitely would not buy the S6 just for ECG. Use it maybe 4 times a year if I remember.
I definitely would buy the S6 for the AOD. Use it continuously.
I definitely would buy the S6 for the AOD. Use it continuously.
I can't get the ECG to work. Keeps stopping due to a poor reading with 15-23 seconds to go. Cleaned back of watch, band is tight, used different fingers. Always fails.
This is what attracted me to the watch 🙂 being an older individual.
MisterSavage
macrumors 603
Mine gets into a state where it's like that sometimes. Try turning the watch off and back on.
I think the ECG is a very nifty feature, especially if you have a heart condition.
Problem is it’s not enabled in many markets. So for me if I bought an Apple Watch, it’s totally useless as I cannot even use it since it’s not enabled in my country, but I still paid for the hardware. Imo Apple should just reduce the price of the watch in markets where many of the features are disabled, then offer an IAP or something if they got regulatory approval later, rather than forcing people to pay for something they cannot use.
