Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Upgrade from Series 3 For Heart?

ggibson913

ggibson913

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Sep 11, 2006
1,119
643
Hey guys. I know this is gonna sound stupid so bear with me. I love the new Series 4 watch but, I already got the Series 3. My plan was to wait until the Series 5 then update but I was recently hospitalized for chest pains. Thankfully it was not a heart attack, but it did get me thinking to update early so I could access the ECG feature if needed.
The Series 3 can monitor my heart rate so honestly that may be enough to warn me of any impending trouble. Not sure what to do, this may just be me mixing want with being a little panicky. Any input welcome.
 
Before you buy, read about Apple's watch heart features to make sure it will do what you want.

I am sure it will show tachycardia and warn you and then of course it will do ECG thing.

You series 3 does the above except ECG.

Best of luck!
 
Good Morning

The ECG in series 4, will only detect a-fib. It will not detect other heart anomalies. I believe even on series 3, you can monitor low and high heart beat rates. The heart sensor in series 4 is more sensitive (accurate?), but as I said, the ECG function will only detect a-fib.

There may be other important issues for you that the watch might help with, such as fall detection. How important the added S4 features woukd be is up to you. Another important feature for me, is the comparative ease of reading the larger screen. YMMV.

Last, factor in the trade in value. It can reduce costs. Next fall you will get less of a trade in and the watch may be more costly, so you may feel higher cost.

New watch or not, don’t overlook the importance of working on heart attack risk factors. Be well.
 
I don't think it's a stupid question. I would do it. Being able to tell if a rapid hearbeat is/isn't aFib is something you'll be glad you had if it happens to you.

I upgraded from a S3 to S4 just for the larger screen and I thought that was worth it.
 
MisterSavage said:
I don't think it's a stupid question. I would do it. Being able to tell if a rapid hearbeat is/isn't aFib is something you'll be glad you had if it happens to you.

I upgraded from a S3 to S4 just for the larger screen and I thought that was worth it.
Click to expand...

I would upgrade as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MisterSavage
Purchased this afternoon got for under $300 with trade in. Didn’t go cellular this tone though. Thanks for all the input.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Newtons Apple
ggibson913 said:
Purchased this afternoon got for under $300 with trade in. Didn’t go cellular this tone though. Thanks for all the input.
Click to expand...

There's a couple of warnings you have to step through with the ECG. Play around with it and get used to using it so if you ever need it you can get right to measuring yourself.
 
This is what I always ask myself with just about everything.
Ask yourself if it was free would you upgrade? Can I afford it with disposable income and not affect anything else ? If both answers are yes I buy.
 
Arnezie said:
This is what I always ask myself with just about everything.
Ask yourself if it was free would you upgrade? Can I afford it with disposable income and not affect anything else ? If both answers are yes I buy.
Click to expand...

Great response. Sometimes a watch feature might be significant enough, and cheaper than alternatives. For example, I purchased the series 4 (my first AW), b/c of fall detection, when comparing the AW to renting a pendent fall detection system, the watch proved to be far less costly.
 
MisterSavage said:
Tell that to these people under 50:

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/apple-watch-told-46-year-man-irregular-heartbeat/story?id=59726093

http://time.com/5472329/apple-watch-ecg/
Click to expand...
The title of the first article is so sensationalistic. There's nothing really life saving about treating afib in someone who's only 40 something. The risk of stroke is so low at that age that not even aspirin is required. In fact, depending the frequency and severity of symptoms, no treatment may be necessary.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/910983
 
I hope you are not going to feel too reassured, or overly worried, by what the Watch is going to tell you.
If you have chest pain you should always go to AE/ER to get checked.
EKG is unlikely to show an impending heart attack.
 
The series 4 has a much bigger screen if you want some obvious improvement other than ECG.

The ECG in the Apple Watch, as Apple described, can only detect one type of heart beat anomaly that is atrial fibrillation. It cannot tell you or stop you from heart attack. But nevertheless it's a very good tool if AF is exactly the problem.

If you already feel chest pain, see the doctor immediately, Apple Watch should be second thought.
 
Thanks for the concern. Yes I went to the ER last week and am under the care of a cardiologist.
 
I have an series 3 and since the update in December? I get occaisional a-fib warnings. Is the series 3 able to detect a-fib accurately?
 
helveta said:
I have an series 3 and since the update in December? I get occaisional a-fib warnings. Is the series 3 able to detect a-fib accurately?
Click to expand...

"If you receive a notification, Apple Watch identified an irregular rhythm suggestive of AFib and confirmed it with multiple readings.

If you have not been diagnosed with AFib by a physician, you should talk to your doctor."
 
MisterSavage said:
Tell that to these people under 50:

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/apple-watch-told-46-year-man-irregular-heartbeat/story?id=59726093

http://time.com/5472329/apple-watch-ecg/
Click to expand...
Tell that to these young and fit footballers who collapsed on the pitch and it was later discovered that they had an undiagnosed heart condition. The first gentleman, Marc Vivian Foe unfortunately died.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23052120

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/fo...ller-heart-condition-claims-fit-a3520416.html
 
  • Like
Reactions: MisterSavage
Depends where you live, If, in Canada NO, we still don't have the ECG app on the watch.

Apple enabled everything on the iPhone, but it does not load the app on the watch and if you check Apple support, they will tell you that Canada is not supported.
 
MisterSavage said:
"If you receive a notification, Apple Watch identified an irregular rhythm suggestive of AFib and confirmed it with multiple readings.

If you have not been diagnosed with AFib by a physician, you should talk to your doctor."
Click to expand...

I got the series 4 and found the ecg in it was showing a-fib way more often than I was getting warnings on the series 3. I went to my Dr and he had me wear a holter monitor that said I was in a-fib 85% of the time I was wearing it. I'm now waiting to get in for an echo cardiogram.
 
helveta said:
I got the series 4 and found the ecg in it was showing a-fib way more often than I was getting warnings on the series 3. I went to my Dr and he had me wear a holter monitor that said I was in a-fib 85% of the time I was wearing it. I'm now waiting to get in for an echo cardiogram.
Click to expand...

Wow. Good luck and I'm glad the S4 was so helpful for you!
 
helveta said:
I got the series 4 and found the ecg in it was showing a-fib way more often than I was getting warnings on the series 3. I went to my Dr and he had me wear a holter monitor that said I was in a-fib 85% of the time I was wearing it. I'm now waiting to get in for an echo cardiogram.
Click to expand...


I was not aware that S3 did a fib detection.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back