Study Confirms Apple Watch Can Detect Abnormal Heart Rhythm With 97% Accuracy

[mcLamer]

A paid articles? The very similar one was published less than a year ago.

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...hythm-with-97-accuracy.2045313/#post-24570461

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I used to get alerts like that, too. Several times in one night, when I was sitting in a booth at a bar, drinking with friends. The alerts came from a 3rd party app, HeartWatch. Haven't had that issue since I deleted that app.

Is this meant as a joke? That's like saying "My car engine used to need maintence, but I disconnected the warning light and I haven't had any issues since!"

I have over 500 irregular heart beats in a day. The Apple Watch hasn’t detected one and I’m even in the heart study.

I could be wrong on this, but I didn't think the study includes notifications for this. I know it does notifications for high HR, but I thought the abnormal heart rythm was just in the data collection phase.

 

[eastonone]

The heart rate monitors built into the Apple Watch and other wearable devices can detect abnormal heart rhythms with 97 percent accuracy, according to a new study conducted by the team behind the Cardiogram app for Apple Watch in conjunction with researchers at the University of California, San Francisco.

More than 139 million heart rate and step count measurements were collected from 9,750 users of the Cardiogram app who also enrolled in the UC San Francisco Health eHeart Study, with the data used to train DeepHeart, Cardiogram's deep neural network.

Once trained, DeepHeart was able to read heart rate data collected by wearables, distinguishing between normal heart rhythm and atrial fibrillation with a 97 percent accuracy rate, both when testing UCSF patients with known heart issues and Cardiogram participants.

At a 97 percent accuracy rate, Cardiogram's study suggests the Apple Watch alone does a better job of detecting abnormal heart rhythms than FDA-approved accessory KardiaBand. From Cardiogram co-founder Johnson Hsiehublished in JAMA Cardiology this morning, the study confirms the results from a similar preliminary study done in May of 2017. According to Cardiogram, today's study marks the first peer-reviewed study in a medical journal that demonstrates popular wearables from companies like Apple, Garmin, Polar, LG, and others can detect a major health condition.

Atrial fibrillation, or an abnormal heart rhythm, is a condition that can be indicative of major health problems and it can lead to heart failure and stroke. Atrial fibrillation often goes undiagnosed, which is where the Apple Watch and other wearables can help. The Apple Watch won't replace a traditional EKG, but it can alert people to a problem much earlier than it might otherwise be detected. From the study's conclusion:In addition to studies on the Apple Watch's ability to detect atrial fibrillation, Cardiogram and UCSF have also been working to determine if the Apple Watch heart rate monitor can also detect conditions like hypertension, sleep apnea, and early signs of diabetes. Preliminary studies have suggested all of these conditions could be spotted in data collected by Apple Watch and other common wearable devices.

Apple has been working with researchers at Stanford on its own study to determine whether the heart rate sensor in the Apple Watch can be used to detect abnormal heart rhythms and common heart conditions. While in the study, if an abnormal heart rhythm is detected, participants will be contacted by researchers and asked to wear an ePath monitor to test heart health.

Apple Watch owners can sign up to participate in the Apple Heart Study by downloading and installing the Apple Heart Study app. Those who want to join Cardiogram's studies can install the Cardiogram app and sign up to join the mRhythm study.

Article Link: Study Confirms Apple Watch Can Detect Abnormal Heart Rhythm With 97% Accuracy

 

[slvrscoobie]

so how does this work, or does their system 'just detect' the symptoms in their research, and not actually alert the users? Ive got a family history for Afib, and have thought about it before and wondered if this would work. Sounds like it will. But does it need FDA approval before they can TELL the users with it something is amiss or is my cardogram just not set up right? (Im enrolled in the various heart surveys)

 

[Michael Goff]

Another paid research. It's the same off-the-shelf HRM as other watches.

First you know the business details between Samsung and Apple and now you know the parts that go into the Apple Watch. Must be hard knowing so many private details.

 

[AppleInLVX]

It’s Terrible, headaches everyday, heart stops and goes every 10 seconds or so. Docs say I’m stuck this way.

Very sorry you need to endure that.

 

[ho0lee0h]

It’s Terrible, headaches everyday, heart stops and goes every 10 seconds or so. Docs say I’m stuck this way.

Wow. I created an account just to reply to this. I'm 31 y/o. I went through ~10 months of constant PVCs 2 years ago. It felt like I was getting one every few minutes. I couldn't sleep. I would get headaches and feel faint. Went to numerous doctors who all practically said it was all in my head or gastritis until one doctor caught it on an EKG. I thought I was going crazy. I went to a specialist who said it can be related to stress and had me use a holter monitor. I sent a few recordings. Doctor said he'd call me in if he saw anything strange. No call. PVCs are SCARY.

The only thing that helped me was mindfulness meditation. I did one 10 minute session twice a day and they slowly went away within 2-3 months. Now, I feel them maybe once a week. Your PVCs sound pretty intense. Not saying meditation will work for everyone, but they did for me.

EDIT: I think the study was just for atrial fibrillation, which is not related to PVCs.

 

[eastonone]

Don’t really understand the comparison with Kardia band? The Kardia app uses the Apple Watch sensor to detect unusual heart beats and then prompts the user to take an ECG to check the accuracy of the heart beat detection and whether Atrail Fibrilation is present. The FDA approval is for the accuracy of the ECG mechanism which detects electrical heart beats through the electrodes on the Kardia Band this is entirely independent of the Apple watch sensor. I was on the original Kardia trial on the iPhone using electrical detection and have now adopted the Apple Watch version which I find to be very useful in monitoring my heart rate at normal levels. I have noticed the odd blip into unfeasibly high rates which suggests that the watch sensor is prone to the occasional incorrect result but find that a quick single line ECG quickly confirms that I am in fact OK. Kardia is a very good system having used it for nearly 5 years and helps to live with and manage Atrial Fibrilation once you have it.

 

[ho0lee0h]

Damn. I'm officially going to stop complaining to my cardiologist about my periodic PVC activity. That sounds awful. how can you function with that level of distraction?
[doublepost=1521662846][/doublepost]

Absolutely, this sort of thing would solve a lot of issues. Doesn't seem like an insurmountable feat of programming, either. Maybe it'll happen soon.

Yea, seriously... I went through a pretty bad phase of PVCs (~10 months) and could not function well. Incredibly distracting and scary...

 

[oneMadRssn]

Resting 70? That's abnormal.

No it actually is.

"A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats a minute." https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/heart-rate/faq-20057979

I'm by no means a specimen of perfect health, but 70bpm is well within a healthy range. Would be nice if I can get it lower of course, but I'm not sweating it.

 

[Heineken]

No it actually is.

"A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats a minute." https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/heart-rate/faq-20057979

I'm by no means a specimen of perfect health, but 70bpm is well within a healthy range. Would be nice if I can get it lower of course, but I'm not sweating it.

I know , but you want in 50 range. I’m almost 34, if I concentrate really good I can push it down to ~42, normally 51 ish.

 

[sdwaltz]

Yet during a workout while lifting weights, it totally s**ts the bed.

 

[oneMadRssn]

I know , but you want in 50 range. I’m almost 34, if I concentrate really good I can push it down to ~42, normally 51 ish.

Part of the problem might have to do with something similar to your avatar. Another part of the problem is my desk job with long hours and stress. A third part of the problem is I absolutely hate going to the gym.

If I meditate I can get it down into the 50s. But sitting here, at work, it's 68 right now.

 

[ddrulez]

I will wait for the finished app. But it's impressive that you can use the watch for such things.

 

[0837990]

How can the Apple Watch be so accurate when it doesn't do continous 24/7 HR monitoring? It only reads the resting HR at 5-minute intervals, and even less when walking, unless an Exercise activity is chosen and activated.

Mostly ALL other fitness wearables and sport watches do 1-2 second 24/7 HR recording, both for resting, active, and during an activity.

How can the AW detect abnormal heart rhythm when it's taking a reading once every 5 minute? Sounds like BS to me.

 

[ipedro]

My AW3 is a requirement by my wife after my heart attack a while back. I wear it while I sleep and have it set to alert me if my HR goes above 120. When I was ill and had a fever, my HR went up and over 120 a few times and I had the watch wake me while I was trying to rest. This does make wife and I feel better about having some kind of warning that I may need to seek medical attention.

For that, the price of AW3 is definitely worth it for me despite the naysayers.

Maybe it's me, but I'd be concerned if my heart rate were 120bpm at rest. Even with a fever, your heart shouldn't be working that hard while you're asleep. I'd get that checked. Better safe than sorry. For reference, my heart rate is around 85bpm at rest, lower than that while I'm asleep. I'm 6ft and 165lbs.

All that said, my Apple Watch has made me aware of these stats which has promoted a better lifestyle and diet. It's pretty incredible the difference this little thing has made in my life. Currently on a 130 day 3 ring streak.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Personally I don't find the Apple Watch heart rate sensor to be that accurate. When working out, it will regularly be off by a factor. To me, this means it's missing every other heartbeat. For example, my resting is ~70; when doing a cardio workout it will go up to 150 or so, then suddenly down to 75. Definitely not right, I am in the middle of cardio and feeling it, it's not 75.

It was exactly the same as what the RN took at the time I had my yearly physical blood work drawn. I wonder if your skin (hydration, salt, and potassium levels) has something to do with it?
[doublepost=1521672379][/doublepost]

I could be wrong on this, but I didn't think the study includes notifications for this. I know it does notifications for high HR, but I thought the abnormal heart rythm was just in the data collection phase.

You’d be correct. It’s in the data. The doctor is the one you’d want to have look at that.

 

[apolloa]

I’m impressed by this, the wearable tech we have now is just the beginning, it’s existed for years but is only mainstream over the last what 3 or 4?
One of the reasons I wanted my Apple Watch was the health monitoring aspect, I like that it consistently gets positive remarks and tests, a band or watch will one day be your doctor...

 

[QuarterSwede]

It was exactly the same as what the RN took at the time I had my yearly physical blood work drawn. I wonder if your skin (hydration, salt, and potassium levels) has something to do with it?
[doublepost=1521672379][/doublepost]
You’d be correct. It’s in the data. The doctor is the one you’d want to have look at that.

No it actually is.

"A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats a minute." https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/heart-rate/faq-20057979

I'm by no means a specimen of perfect health, but 70bpm is well within a healthy range. Would be nice if I can get it lower of course, but I'm not sweating it.

That’s not necessarily better either. If you’re in the healthy range and your doctor thinks it’s good for your height, weight, etc. then you’re fine as everyone’s bodies are different.

I’m naturally fit (higher metabolism), 5’8”, 148lbs and accordiong to my doctor and blood work year over year I’m extremely healthy with numbers he never sees for people with my body type. My resting heart rate is 78bpm. You’re probably fine.

 

[oneMadRssn]

That’s not necessarily better either. If you’re in the healthy range and your doctor thinks it’s good for your height, weight, etc. then you’re fine as everyone’s bodies are different.

I’m naturally fit (higher metabolism), 5’8”, 148lbs and accordiong to my doctor and blood work year over year I’m extremely healthy with numbers he never sees for people with my body type. My resting heart rate is 78bpm. You’re probably fine.

Yea, I'm fine. I just know that almost all athletes with excellent cardiovascular strength tend to have resting rates in the 40s or 50s. Michael Phelps, for example, has a resting rate of 38bpm.

But yea, I'm far more concerned with this bag of sour gummi worms I'm housing at the moment than my hr.

 

[cote32mt]

Personally I don't find the Apple Watch heart rate sensor to be that accurate. When working out, it will regularly be off by a factor. To me, this means it's missing every other heartbeat. For example, my resting is ~70; when doing a cardio workout it will go up to 150 or so, then suddenly down to 75. Definitely not right, I am in the middle of cardio and feeling it, it's not 75.

I had exactly the same experience over and over again and gave up on the Apple Watch after the screen cracked and the watch became a brick. Wasn’t willing to pay the $280 to get it fixed (without the costly Apple insurance). Back to using a Polarr chest strap connected to my iPhone that works solidly all the time but is less convenient.

 

[25ghosts]

This will be a field day for private medical practices. They will literally have lines 10 times what they have now with scared people who now fear heart disease because their AppleWatch manifested an abnormal heart rhythm.

Perhaps if someone has a heart condition this might actually help them but for the normal and healthy person this will cause massive paranoia.... Just wait and see.

66% of folks in the western world suffer from Panic Attacks (10% talk about it) --- I can only recommend normal folks to stay clear of this !

 

[LordVic]

Wow. I created an account just to reply to this. I'm 31 y/o. I went through ~10 months of constant PVCs 2 years ago. It felt like I was getting one every few minutes. I couldn't sleep. I would get headaches and feel faint. Went to numerous doctors who all practically said it was all in my head or gastritis until one doctor caught it on an EKG. I thought I was going crazy. I went to a specialist who said it can be related to stress and had me use a holter monitor. I sent a few recordings. Doctor said he'd call me in if he saw anything strange. No call. PVCs are SCARY.

The only thing that helped me was mindfulness meditation. I did one 10 minute session twice a day and they slowly went away within 2-3 months. Now, I feel them maybe once a week. Your PVCs sound pretty intense. Not saying meditation will work for everyone, but they did for me.

EDIT: I think the study was just for atrial fibrillation, which is not related to PVCs.

PVC's was one of the scariest things that jumped at me one day. I thought it was a heart attack.

wsa sitting in my office, started sweating, my heart started racing like i had just skated for 5 hours non stop. I grew hot and flush. But stupid stoic me ignored it... "it'll go away".

went home. went to bed early. Woke up the next morning, dizzy, and feeling just as bad. I could feel my pulse missing every other beat. it was absolutely crazy. it was at that point I drove to the ER (again, I'm not a smart man)

spent the day getting tested, hooked up to EKG. Everything came back completely clean. according to my tests, blood work etc, I was 100% healthy. But sure enough, there on the EKG you could see a plateua where my heart was skipping every other beat. just. Badump Ba........ Badump Ba........ and it wasn't just occasionally. it was every other beat for 2 days straight. My brother came to the hospital to keep my company and at first he was skepitcal, within a moment he saw the heart rate screen he knew for a fact I was not "faking" it or misinterpreting what I was feeling. my heart was literally irregularly beating constantly

after wearin a heart monitor for a few days and some consultation. it turned out I was drinking too much cafffeine! the 1,000mg a day was just too much for my heart to handle (2 large coffees in the morning, one for lunch, and aftgernoon one, and then a monster/redbull in the evening)

I've cut out smoking and down to 1 mug of coffee a day max. I have not had the PVC's return. But I never stop panicking everytime I "feel" my heart beat.

 

[Braderunner]

My two cardiologists say I do. Plus some of them hurt and I can feel them. I’ve worn monitors and had numerous EKGs and Echos and various beta blockers and still have over 500 irregular heart beats with extra beats PACs ans PVCs a day. I’ve had about 30 of them since I started typing this reply. The Apple Watch hasn’t detected anything.

You’re not supposed to be in the heart study. It is intended for individuals with no known heart condition.
[doublepost=1521676771][/doublepost]

Is this meant as a joke? That's like saying "My car engine used to need maintence, but I disconnected the warning light and I haven't had any issues since!"



I could be wrong on this, but I didn't think the study includes notifications for this. I know it does notifications for high HR, but I thought the abnormal heart rythm was just in the data collection phase.

My point being....I haven’t had the issue since I deleted the third party app. Native Heart Rate app does not do this. Guess you’re not aware there is a native app. Must not be too familiar with the watch. Need more help?
In response to your reply: If you say so.

 

[newellj]

Personally I don't find the Apple Watch heart rate sensor to be that accurate. When working out, it will regularly be off by a factor. To me, this means it's missing every other heartbeat. For example, my resting is ~70; when doing a cardio workout it will go up to 150 or so, then suddenly down to 75. Definitely not right, I am in the middle of cardio and feeling it, it's not 75.

Edit - I see you got other responses. Maybe the hair? I haven't found sweat a problem. I have tried arm straps and had horrible results with them, which is consistent with my first reply - some devices (in some locations) just don't seem to work for some people.

This is a serious response, not a joke or a snark. You're either wearing the watch too loose or your wrist just isn't compatible with the Watch and its sensor. I've tested it against the Polar H1 and Mio devices and get the same results. But if you look at various tests, different people get different results. Some devices just don't seem to work well for some people.