Track important health information with Apple Watch (2024)

FAQs

What health information can an Apple Watch track? ›

Apple Watch tracks sleep metrics like heart rate, time asleep, wrist temperature, and sleeping respiratory rate. And with interactive charts in the Health app, you can compare your heart rate, sleeping respiratory rate, and more over time.

Regardless of the model, Apple Watches come with built-in GPS, heart rate zone tracking, and automatic workout detection, making them a popular choice among athletes and fitness-minded people.

The Health app automatically counts your steps, walking, and running distances. And, if you have an Apple Watch, it automatically tracks all of your Activity data. If you're already using another app to track your health, you can try manually adding data from the app to Health, so all your information is in one place.

You can receive a notification if Apple Watch Ultra has identified an irregular heart rhythm that appears to be atrial fibrillation (AFib). Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Tap My Watch, tap Heart, then tap Set Up Irregular Rhythm Notifications in Health.

The smartwatch isn't equipped to measure your blood pressure alone, but there are tools and devices you can pair it with it that can -- usually wireless monitors that connect to your iPhone or Apple Watch and come with an arm cuff and their own app.

While the Apple Watch itself doesn't directly measure blood glucose levels, it can integrate with third-party continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices. This allows users to receive real-time blood glucose readings directly on their watch face, eliminating the need for constant finger pricks.

On Apple Watch Series 1 or later, the IRNF analyzes pulse rate data collected by the photoplethysmograph (PPG) sensor to identify episodes of irregular heart rhythms suggestive of AFib, and it provides a notification to the user when it detects an episode.

The Takeaway. The new Apple Watch won't be able to diagnose sleep apnea. However, it may be able to detect sleep apnea symptoms, alerting you to contact your doctor for further testing. From there, an in-lab sleep study or home sleep test will be required to diagnose sleep apnea accurately.

In a recently reported case, Apple's ECG feature in Apple Watch saved a woman's life by helping in detecting an undiagnosed heart blockage. Elaine Thompson from Gateshead, England recently received alerts on her Apple Watch for irregular heart rhythm.

Will the Apple Watch call 911 if your heart stops? ›

No, Apple Watch cannot detect heart attacks. It can only detect irregular heart rhythms, which are a risk factor for stroke. If you ever experience chest pain, pressure, tightness, or what you think is a heart attack, call emergency services using your iPhone or Apple Watch manually and immediately.

Apple Watch cannot detect a heart attack or stroke. If you ever experience chest pain, pressure, tightness or what you think is a heart attack, call the emergency services immediately. Apple Watch only checks for signs of atrial fibrillation periodically. AF History may not find every instance of your irregular rhythm.

Show important medical information on Apple Watch: You can create a Medical ID that appears on the lock screen of your Apple Watch. Should you need emergency help, those attending you can see such details as your age, blood type, medical conditions, and any allergies you may have.

Life Alert and the Apple Watch both offer features that allow them to connect with emergency services getting you the help you need if you've fallen or been injured. Although both are effective, the Apple Watch was not designed to be a medical alert device.