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New Apple Watch ECG Algorithm Version Included in iOS 14.3 and watchOS 7.2

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Apple has designed a new algorithm that Apple Watch uses to measure electrocardiogram (ECG) waves, according to developer documentation for the iOS 14.3 and watchOS 7.2 betas.

apple_watch_ecg.jpg

In the official documentation, a new "version 2 algorithm" declaration has been added. No other information is included.

The ECG feature includes irregular heart rhythm detection, which intermittently measures the user's heart rate in the background and sends a notification if it detects an anomaly it categorizes as atrial fibrillation, which can be a serious heart arrhythmia condition.

Based on beta code uncovered by MacRumors, it's likely that the new algorithm will allow the ECG app to check for atrial fibrillation (AFib) at higher heart rates - during exercise, for example.

ecg-algorithm-version-2.jpg

iOS 14.3 will introduce support for Apple Fitness+, Apple's upcoming fitness service that will work with the Apple Watch, plus it brings a new Cardio Fitness feature that lets you know if your VO2Max levels are low. VO2Max is a useful measurement of overall fitness and heart health.

iOS 14.3 is set to be released on Monday, December 14, which is also the day that Apple Fitness+ is coming out.

(Thanks, Simon!)

Article Link: New Apple Watch ECG Algorithm Version Included in iOS 14.3 and watchOS 7.2
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/12/09/new-apple-watch-ecg-algorithm-version/
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Does it now work for higher resting heart rhythms?

I tried on a few older people in my family - and it wouldn't give any result - saying it wasn't conclusive.
 
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A nice little upgrade!

I take it we will see the GM this week or straight into release on Monday?
 
Wait what? The ECG only works when your finger is on the Digital Crown. It can’t work in the background.
 
emt1 said:
Wait what? The ECG only works when your finger is on the Digital Crown. It can’t work in the background.
Click to expand...
The background irregular heart rhythm detection does not use the ECG but it is grouped with the ECG features (which is technically inaccurate but they are related features, just different technologies). It's been around as long as the ECG: "Using the optical heart sensor in Apple Watch Series 1 or later, the irregular rhythm notification feature will occasionally check the user’s heart rhythm in the background for signs of an irregular heart rhythm that appears to be AFib and alerts the user with a notification if an irregular rhythm is detected on five rhythm checks over a minimum of 65 minutes." (https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2018...-notification-available-today-on-apple-watch/)
 
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iGüey said:
Well, maybe you have to go to your doctor and check why your heart rate is so low in the first place.
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No I don't. I'm an endurance runner so my resting heart rate is low compared to "normal". My doctor has said it's not a problem.
 
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People have been running EKGs through computers for 40 years and now modern machine learning is going to beat them all.
 
I wish they would allow these on the family setup. I don't understand why they disable these features.
 
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PsykX said:
Does it now work for higher resting heart rhythms?

I tried on a few older people in my family - and it wouldn't give any result - saying it wasn't conclusive.
Click to expand...

Yes that was the original setup for AppleWatch. When you use it the first 2 mths it learns your resting heart rate and any spikes as a base.
 
If this feature saves my life, maybe it will actually justify all the $$$$$$ I've spent on Apple Products! 😂
 
AUSTRALIANS: What is blocking the ECG app in Australia, is it our backwards regulatory authorities or Apple? I suspect the Australian medical regulator as they and the whole government seem to be afraid of any new technology. ANYONE HAVE FACTS?
 
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robfoll said:
AUSTRALIANS: What is blocking the ECG app in Australia, is it our backwards regulatory authorities or Apple? I suspect the Australian medical regulator as they and the whole government seem to be afraid of any new technology. ANYONE HAVE FACTS?
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No facts but as usual with these kinds of things where there is no obvious negative consequence to allowing a large positive feature like this, Profit would the likely motive behind it.

Someone (company or industry) is having a big whinge about their lost profits after selling hospitals and doctors surgery’s expensive and highly profitable ECG equipment for decades and is about to have their world shaken by a $500 watch, go figure. No evidence on this but I suspect it’s not out of care the Australian population but out of fear of lost profits from those already profiting from selling these devices (big pharma) who have sway in legislation to ensure their continued monopoly
 
Username32123 said:
Someone (company or industry) is having a big whinge about their lost profits after selling hospitals and doctors surgery’s expensive and highly profitable ECG equipment for decades and is about to have their world shaken by a $500 watch, go figure.
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Not true at all. No-one is diagnosing anything from a watch-based ECG anywhere in the world. No ECG manufacturers are losing profits. The ECG reports from watches act as an indication that something may be wrong, and this is confirmed using a 12-lead trace from a real machine. If anything, this could bring more business to cardiologists as they try to sort out the true- from the false positives.
 
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martinX said:
Not true at all. No-one is diagnosing anything from a watch-based ECG anywhere in the world. No ECG manufacturers are losing profits. The ECG reports from watches act as an indication that something may be wrong, and this is confirmed using a 12-lead trace from a real machine. If anything, this could bring more business to cardiologists as they try to sort out the true- from the false positives.
Click to expand...
So why the unclear reasoning behind the lack of this features availability? There hasn’t been a clear cut answer about what specifically is preventing its roll out. Apple have said “regulatory issues” but what regulations are they specifically and with which governmental body? So many things unclear.

also this feature is absent from many countries which have very little in way of regulation of any sort, so it seems like there are other reasons Apple and these respective countries are not telling us. Also why there isn’t even a clear path to a roll out or what exactly needs to be changed, exempt or approved before we can see it. It’s darkness from every angle
 
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