watchOS 7 Brings Apple Watch ECG Feature to Colombia, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates

[MacRumors]

Apple on Wednesday released watchOS 7 to the public, and the latest operating system for compatible Apple Watch models also brought ECG and irregular heart rhythm notifications to users in Colombia, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates for the first time.

‌Apple Watch‌ Series 4, 5, and 6 users can generate an ECG waveform in just 30 seconds by placing their finger on the Digital Crown. The idea is that you can take this information to your doctor, if the results are abnormal, and use it as a basis to discover if you have any larger issues at hand.

The irregular rhythm notification feature also intermittently checks heart rhythms in the background and sends a notification if an irregular heart rhythm is identified that could potentially be atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Atrial fibrillation is a health condition that often goes undiagnosed, so ECG app and heart rhythm alerts on Apple Watch will be highly useful for detecting early signs of disease. ECG readings also normally require a full ECG machine and a visit to the doctor, which is far less convenient than a reading taken with the Apple Watch.

Apple routinely has to gain approval from government health agencies before marketing the ‌Apple Watch‌'s ECG feature in different countries. Apple won U.S. FDA clearance to promote the function when the ‌Apple Watch‌ Series 4 launched in 2018.

Article Link: watchOS 7 Brings Apple Watch ECG Feature to Colombia, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates

 

[Packing Less]

They're never going to bring it to Australia are they ?

 

[Cleartz]

It's great to see more countries getting that feature but poor Australia.

 

[Marlon DLTH :)]

And Mexico? Come on Apple!

 

[Smigit]

They're never going to bring it to Australia are they ?

Yeah it’s a bummer. I guess big picture, we’re fortunate enough to be one of a few markets to get most things day one, outside of maps features.

 

[lk400]

But, what about [my country]?

 

[PickUrPoison]

They're never going to bring it to Australia are they ?

It's great to see more countries getting that feature but poor Australia.

It’s coming, but it took legislative changes to make it happen (Thanks Tim Apple!)

Next year (March iirc) your TGA is finally updating the regulations that have prevented Australians from using the ECG and irregular rhythm notifications. With current rules/regs, neither the Watch nor any similar ECG devices were approvable.

 

[AussieStu]

And Mexico? Come on Apple!

I'll place a bet you guys will get it before Austraia.

 

[PickUrPoison]

But, what about [my country]?

It’s a legit question. I mean it’s great for those in countries where it’s already available, but what potential customers really want to know is when they themselves will be able to have these features that can save lives.

 

[AussieStu]

It’s coming, but it took legislative changes to make it happen (Thanks Tim Apple!)

Next year (March iirc) your TGA is finally updating the regulations that have prevented Australians from using the ECG and irregular rhythm notifications. With current rules/regs, neither the Watch nor any similar ECG devices were approvable.

So 2021 is the year we finally get that deature?? sweet

 

[PickUrPoison]

So 2021 is the year we finally get that deature?? sweet

Should be, although the implementation has already been delayed once due to Covid.

Here’s the link, the new regulations will take effect 25 February 2021. Hopefully device approvals aren’t too far behind. (The new rules were passed based on discussions with the public that began in late 2018, which was about the time Apple met with TGA.)

Therapeutic Goods Legislation Amendment (2019 Measures No.1) Regulations 2019

This is the first package of regulatory changes for the broader medical device reforms

www.tga.gov.au

 

[HaroX]

Also still no Japan... despite of receiving final medical approval recently.

 

[idandavid]

My Australian watch now in Israel has ecg working !

 

[khunsanook]

Also still no Japan... despite of receiving final medical approval recently.

This was a disappointing surprise. After all that news about medical approval in Japan, I thought for sure watchOS 7 would bring ECG functionality. But I guess everyone in Japan can relate to how one stamp of approval is just a pass to the next stage of approvals...and faxes.

 

[Da_Hood]

Hilarious, concerned enough about cardio vascular health, but would rather pay Au$700+for a device that "might" detect a problem rather than visit a GP for near free under medicare,WTF Straya.

 

[Da_Hood]

It’s coming, but it took legislative changes to make it happen (Thanks Tim Apple!)

Next year (March iirc) your TGA is finally updating the regulations that have prevented Australians from using the ECG and irregular rhythm notifications. With current rules/regs, neither the Watch nor any similar ECG devices were approvable.

That policy change started well before ECG introduced to Apple Watch, but thank Tim all you like

 

[BootLoxes]

This was a disappointing surprise. After all that news about medical approval in Japan, I thought for sure watchOS 7 would bring ECG functionality. But I guess everyone in Japan can relate to how one stamp of approval is just a pass to the next stage of approvals...and faxes.

I felt this on a spiritual level. Shikatanai my friend

 

[gussyboy]

They're never going to bring it to Australia are they ?

it’s more Australia rules and government processes stopping Apple bring it

 

[miric]

I’m still angry curious what government restrictions? Why it should depend from a government? It’s just a device feature which user can use or not and make some decisions to get to a doctor for consultation.

 

[AussieStu]

Hilarious, concerned enough about cardio vascular health, but would rather pay Au$700+for a device that "might" detect a problem rather than visit a GP for near free under medicare,WTF Straya.

I pay $100 for a Dr here in OZ. I'm a tax payer and not a leach on the taxpayer. So am I supposed to go to the Dr once a week or month in hope im ok? Why consume taxpayers money on your free Dr and a Free test paid on the backs of the Aussie worker when I have a watch with the hardware able to do the ECG in the first place?
[automerge]1600344303[/automerge]

it’s more Australia rules and government processes stopping Apple bring it

Apparently..

 

[gussyboy]

Taken from another site...


“If Apple claims the ECG function in its Apple Watch has therapeutic benefit for wearers, the watch would need to be included in the ARTG in order to be legally supplied in Australia,” a TGA spokesperson said to Gizmodo Australia, repeating the same statement it provided us in September 2019.

“TGA has not received any applications for products manufactured and/or supplied by Apple, nor is there any Apple device included on the ARTG.”

The Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) is a list showing which goods can be lawfully sold in the country. If a company intends to sell a medical or therapeutic product it needs to apply through the TGA for it to be legally sold. This is to stop snake oil salesmen fabricating medical products without governmental oversight.

 

[PickUrPoison]

That policy change started well before ECG introduced to Apple Watch, but thank Tim all you like

Please share the info, I haven’t seen it.

PS re: your avatar, Mick Fleetwood and others in Fleetwood Mac were addicted to coke, not meth. Coke was everywhere in California in the late 70s/early 80s and was easy to get, and it was very high quality. Mick supposedly went though millions of dollars. This was before crack hit, they were just(!) snorting it.

Manufacture and distribution of speed was still mostly controlled by the Hells Angels throughout the 70s and not nearly as available unless you knew the right (wrong) people.

 

[woteva]

To activate the ECG feature in Australia is pretty easy, have a look at Whirlpool or Reddit for instructions

 

[bryn0076]

Should be, although the implementation has already been delayed once due to Covid.

Here’s the link, the new regulations will take effect 25 February 2021. Hopefully device approvals aren’t too far behind. (The new rules were passed based on discussions with the public that began in late 2018, which was about the time Apple met with TGA.)

Therapeutic Goods Legislation Amendment (2019 Measures No.1) Regulations 2019

This is the first package of regulatory changes for the broader medical device reforms

www.tga.gov.au

Now that is a truly useful bit of info - cheers !

 

[mavis]

Also still no Japan... despite of receiving final medical approval recently.

Indeed. I've been waiting two years for my AW4 to finally work as intended. And now I'm still waiting, despite the recent government approval ...