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 is the most popular consumer gadget in the market, and perhaps the only one, that users can wear on their wrist, and instantly take an ECG reading in just 30 seconds.
Previously, in June it was reported that the tech giant will launch the ECG feature in Japan and Brazil. Recently, the heart rhythm tracking feature was rolled out in Saudi Arabia and Japan. At the time of launch, the EGC feature was available in selected regions and is being gradually expanded to new countries.
Apple Watch ECG Feature Available in More Countries
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a non-invasive test to record heart rhythm and its electrical activity. The sensors on the smartwatch gather real-time electric signals and convert it into a recording which can be viewed on the Watch itself, or on an iPhone. If any irregularities are detected in the readings, the Watch alerts the user to consult a doctor. The readings can be exported from an iPhone in PDF format, which can be taken to a doctor for consultation and diagnosis.
Series 4 and 5 users can generate an ECG waveform in just 30 seconds by placing their finger on the Digital Crown. The idea with this feature is that users can take this information to their doctor, if the results are irregular, and use it as a basis to identify if they have any larger issues at hand. The description of the app reads:
“The ECG app records an electrocardiogram which represents the electrical pulses that make your heart beat. The ECG app checks these pulses to get your heart rate and see if the upper and lower chambers of your heart are in rhythm. If they’re out of rhythm, that could be AFib”
The Cupertino tech giant has to gain approval from government health agencies before marketing the Apple Watch’s ECG feature in different countries. Apple won U.S. FDA approval to promote the feature when the Apple Watch Series 4 launched in 2018.
Learn more about watchOS 7 here.
