Smart watches detecting heart blocks, rhythm irregularities, ECG pattern, and how!

Acknowledging the role of technology, health experts and cardiologists believe that even a minor change in the heart beat, detected by an alert user of a smart watch, could be a life saver

Hyderabad: Smart watches with ECG recording capabilities are increasingly detecting minor heart rhythm irregularities that immediately alert user to contact a qualified heart specialist. Even a minor change in the heart beat, if an alert user of the smart watch is able to detect, then it could be a life saver, health experts and cardiologists believe.

A case in point is a recent instance where a smart watch helped an alert user in realising change in the ECG (heart beat) pattern. He immediately contacted a qualified heart specialist. It turned out that the individual, who till then did not have any symptoms, had a heart defect.

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“Heart block was detected on Apple watch in an asymptomatic person. One of my friends, aged about 60 years, noticed features of Mobitz type 2 atrio-ventricular block (a type of heart block) yesterday. At that time, he was exercising. However, he had no symptoms. He was immediately evaluated by his cardiologist, and underwent pacemaker implantation. He is doing well,” said noted neurologist from Hyderabad, Dr. Sudhir Kumar, on Friday.

Acknowledging the role of technology, Dr. Sudhir said, “Technology proved to be efficient and aided in timely detection of an illness, which could be life-threatening (in some cases), if appropriate and timely treatment is not provided on time.”

Noted cardiologist from Bengaluru, Dr. Deepak Krishnamurthy, who is popular on social media with the handle @DrDeepakKrishn1, shared an instance of another patient who benefitted from a smart watch.

“A diagnosis picked up on the patient’s daughter’s Apple watch which she put on her mother during an episode of palpitations. Valuable information!. I’m not a big fan of smart watches. But what I’m realizing is that the normal stylish expensive wrist watches serve no practical purpose. On the other hand a smart watch, which has this feature of ECG recording makes a difference, (sic)” Dr. Krishnamurthy, in his X post, said.

At population level, smart watches may not be making any significant difference. But for an individual it may make some difference, especially if they’re going to buy a watch in the range of Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000, it makes sense to buy. Not an endorsement. Just a view point, he added.