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Apple Watch also detects serious circulatory disorders in the heart
Electronic wristwatches, so-called smart watches, can also be used for health and serve as digital diagnostic aids. With some models, for example, everyone can do an EKG. Also, some of the small devices can detect cardiac arrhythmias. And doctors now report that a certain product can also detect cardiac circulatory disorders.
According to experts, smart watches can be useful for people with heart problems, among other things. Some of the electronic watches can be used to record electrocardiograms (ECGs) and identify abnormal heart rhythms. Now it has been discovered that with the help of a specific smart watch, not only heart rate but also cardiac circulatory disorders can be identified.
Discovery May Help Prevent Heart Attacks
Smart watches have been available on the market for a long time, which among other things can correctly recognize cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation.
This was also demonstrated by a study published last year in the journal “JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology” by scientists from the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) at the Greifswald University Medical Center and the University Hospital of Basel.
And now a team of doctors from Cardiopraxis Mainz and the Cardiology Center of the Mainz University Medical Center reports to the European Heart Journal that a certain smart watch can also be used to identify circulatory disorders in the heart.
As it says in a statement, its discovery could help prevent heart attacks worldwide.
Smartwatch ECG records provided evidence of cardiac circulatory disorders
The case of an 80-year-old patient in Mainz shows that digitization can also do a lot in medicine and even save lives.
According to information, the passionate Apple Watch user came to the Chest Pain Unit of the University of Mainz Medical Center and complained of chest pain, irregular pulse and the sensation of loss of consciousness, all typical symptoms of coronary artery disease (CHD) and, therefore, possible precursors. A heart attack.
However, both a recorded ECG and subsequent blood tests were normal. On ECG recordings, which the patient had previously made with her watch and shown to the doctors, they then found pronounced reductions in the so-called ST segment and thus clear indications of an acute and severe circulatory heart disorder.
The patient was immediately examined with a cardiac catheter, which revealed severe CAD that could easily have resulted in a heart attack.
According to the ad, the woman’s nearly closed coronary arteries were stretched with a balloon and a stent placed. Two days later, she was discharged without symptoms.
Diagnostic assistants can save lives.
“Until now, the Apple Watch and its EKG APP have only been used to diagnose cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. In our opinion, this is the first case that has also demonstrated cardiac circulatory disorders,” said Prof. Univ. Dr. Thomas Münzel of the Cardiology Center of the Mainz University Medical Center.
“When you consider that millions of people wear a watch like this, our observation is sensational. It was also an advantage that the electronic wristwatch was easy for the sick elderly woman to use, ”explains the doctor.
“Many experts and patients around the world should know that the ECG app on Apple Watch can be used in addition to diagnosing cardiac circulatory disorders,” says PD Dr. Christian Elsner, Business Director of the University Medical Center in Mainz.
“The case shows that digitization in medical technology is unstoppable. Now it is about making them as safe and efficient as possible for the future and for patients. When used properly, digital diagnostic aids can save lives as in the case of 80-year-old patient ”.
Sources:
- University Medicine at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz: The Digital Diagnostic Assistant: Smartwatch Detects Serious Circulatory Disorders in the Heart, (accessed May 3, 2020), University Medicine at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz
- Michael Drexler, Christian Elsner, Valentin Gabelmann, Tommaso Gori, Thomas Münzel: Apple Watch that detects coronary ischemia during episodes of chest pain or an apple a day can keep myocardial infarction away; in: European Heart Journal, (published: April 29, 2020), European Heart Journal
- German Cardiovascular Research Center: Detect Atrial Fibrillation in Time Using a Smart Watch, (accessed May 3, 2020), German Cardiovascular Research Center
- Dörr M, Nohturfft V, Brasier N, Bosshard E, Djurdjevic A, Gross S, Raichle CJ, Rhinisperger M, Stöckli R, Eckstein J: The WATCH AF Trial: SmartWATCHes for Detection of Atrial Fibrillation; in: JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, (published: online: November 28, 2018 and in Volume 5, Number 4, April 2019, pages 525-526), JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology
Important note:
This article contains general information only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. It cannot replace a visit to the doctor.