"Apple Watch May Spot Heart Problem, But More Research is Needed" - Lauren Neergaard
A huge study suggests the Apple Watch can detect a worrisome irregular heartbeat at least sometimes – but experts say some work is needed to tell if using wearable technology to screen for heart problems really helps. More than 149,000 Apple Watch users signed up for the unusual study, making it the largest ever to explore screening seemingly healthy people for atrial fibrillation, a condition that if untreated eventually can trigger strokes. Cardiac experts said the study, which was funded by Apply, suggests screening with wearable technology might be technically feasible eventually, but needs a lot more research. “I would not advise this to the overall general population,” said Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, director of Mount Sinai Heart and Physician in Chief of The Mount Sinai Hospital, who wasn’t involved with the study. Instead, he’d like to see it tested in seniors with risk factors like high blood pressure.
— Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, Director, Mount Sinai Heart, Physician in Chief, The Mount Sinai Hospital, Professor, Medicine, Cardiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Additional coverage: Concord Monitor; KQED News; Associated Press
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