If I’m having a heart attack will my watc… (2024)

FAQs

Can my Apple Watch tell if I'm having a heart attack? ›

If Low Power Mode is turned on, you won't receive any high or low heart rate or irregular rhythm notifications. Learn more about Low Power Mode. Apple Watch cannot detect heart attacks. If you ever experience chest pain, pressure, tightness, or what you think is a heart attack, call emergency services immediately.

A study published by JAMA Cardiology in 2020 revealed that ECG monitors on smartwatches were 93 per cent to 95 per cent accurate at “correctly identifying and distinguishing between different types of heart attacks”.

Here's a surprising fact: nearly half of people who have a heart attack don't realize it at the time. These so-called silent heart attacks are only diagnosed after the event, when a recording of the heart's electrical activity (an electrocardiogram or ECG) or another test reveals evidence of damage to the heart.

EKGs may be able to detect previous heart attacks. However, an EKG is not the most reliable way to detect previous heart attacks. According to a 2018 review , EKGs can detect previous heart attacks around 48.4% of the time. They can also detect the absence of any previous heart attack 83.5% of the time.

These symptoms can include chest pain, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and dizziness. You can monitor your heart health at home by taking regular blood pressure readings, measuring your heart rate, and taking the stair test. If you notice any changes, be sure to let your doctor know right away.

Cardiologists recommend smartwatches because they offer an easy and convenient way to monitor your heart rate and other important health data. With a smartwatch, you can monitor your heart rate in real time and also receive notifications when your heart rate is out of normal range.

The new iBeat Heart Watch raises the alert if your heart rate falters.

Previous studies assessed the ability of the Apple Watch to identify AF and found that it has a sensitivity of 98% versus standard 12-lead ECG [3]. The positive predictive value (PPV) of Apple Watch notifications was 84% [8]. The fact that the ECG on the smartwatch was of such great quality was also fascinating.

Some heart attacks strike suddenly. But many people have warning signs and symptoms hours, days or weeks in advance. Chest pain or pressure (angina) that keeps happening and doesn't go away with rest may be an early warning sign.

What mimics a heart attack? ›

Heartburn, angina and heart attack may feel very much alike. Even experienced doctors can't always tell the difference from your medical history and a physical exam. That's why, if you go to the emergency room because of chest pain, you'll immediately have tests to rule out a heart attack.

Chest Pain, Pressure, Fullness, or Discomfort

Most heart attacks actually involve only mild pain or discomfort in the center of your chest. You may also feel pressure, squeezing, or fullness. These symptoms usually start slowly, and they may go away and come back.

If a person does not receive immediate treatment, this lack of blood flow can cause damage to the heart. Complications arising from this situation include: Arrhythmias: These are abnormal heartbeats. Cardiogenic shock: This refers to severe damage to the heart muscle.

You may have a perfectly normal ECG, yet still have a heart condition. If your test is normal but your doctor suspects that you have a heart problem, he may recommend that you have another ECG, or a different type of test to find out for sure.

And while an EKG can't forecast heart attack risk, it can tell us about previous heart attacks. Because dead heart muscle doesn't typically dissolve or disappear during a person's lifetime, a heart attack can be picked up on an EKG at any time—even several years later.

Apple Watch checks for unusually high or low heart rates in the background, which could be signs of a serious underlying condition.

If your cardio fitness level falls in the “Low” range, you'll receive a notification on your Apple Watch. If it stays low, you'll receive a notification every four months. Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.

Developed by RCE Technologies, the Infrasensor wristband detects various acute blood biomarkers in mere minutes. One important biomarker is cardiac troponin, a specific protein that enters the bloodstream when the heart muscle becomes damaged, such as during a heart attack.