Cardiologist’s scientific analysis of the Apple Watch

Will the Apple Watch save lives? I’m an academic cardiologist & this is an in-depth, unbiased look at the science & implications of the exciting new ECG heart monitor function.
I’m a tech fan, an advocate for people to take an interest in their health, and a practicing heart doctor, so this is big news for me. But amongst all the glowing media coverage, I wanted to explain the considerable implications of something like this.
I analyse the science, the statistics, the medicine and what it may mean for you, if you buy an Apple Watch. Edit: And yes, I know it's not called an iWatch, tbh I shot this in a hurry at work and didn't even realise I had said iWatch until later. I mostly use the term to wind up my Apple fanboi buddy Simon. Judging by some of the comments, it winds up more people than just Simon.
My video on medical over-testing: • If money was no object...
If anything is unclear, please ask me here or on Twitter - I do answer every question.
Dr Rohin Francis
------------
More Medlife Crisis:
www.medlifecris...
/ medcrisis
/ medlifecrisis
/ medcrisis
------------
Venk Murthy’s Apple Watch Tweetorial: / 1042110544457674753
John Mandrola’s Apple Watch article: / im-a-heart-doctor-here...
Julian Halcox’s Alivecor (REHEARSE-AF) study: www.ahajournal...
Joy Victory’s Apple Watch article: www.healthnews...
May 2018 JAMA Cardiology Smart Watch study: jamanetwork.co...
Apple Heart (Stanford) study: med.stanford.e...
Music:
Tango de Manzana by Kevin MacLeod. Creative Commons licence, downloaded from incompetech.co...

[@chubbyemu]

Excellent video! To me, medicine is characterized by a few things including 1) the notion of fear and the unknown and 2) excess and these are encapsulated in life-and-death. Those are distinctly different from tech, which for the most part is a nice to have but can live without it. This incompatibility amplifies the potential fear and this in itself create more excess. If Apple does not play its cards right, they could have just opened a giant can of worms. And the FDA won’t always be run by people who will allow this kind of thing.

[@MedlifeCrisis]

I've had a long standing interest in medical tech and have even done a tiny bit of consulting for an AI company. The disconnect between them and us is enormous sometimes. As you say medicine and technology come from very different starting points, even if we are respectively interested in the other field. I thought an analogy was Elon Musk's approach to the cave rescue. The Silicon Valley attitude is just to attack any conundrum in any way and deal with any problems as they arise. Like beta testing. They are now bringing that approach to medicine. Should be interesting!

[@OutdorsDanny]

I have found all my favorite channels through the chubby emu

[@MedlifeCrisis]

That's great to hear - encourages KZbinrs to help & support each other. I'm naturally competitive so when I saw Chubbyemu's first video explode my immediate thought was "damn a doctor has got there before me!" but of course as soon as I watched I thought this is incredible content and I want to see more. He's been really supportive of my small channel. In fact we were talking yesterday & I said I probably owe him half my followers. Do you mind me asking how you found me though - was it just 'you might like...' or 'related channels' that brought you here? Thank you! Just interested in how the algorithm works. Hope to see you again :)

[@leeroy25024941]

Just love Chubbyemu's videos!!

[@pixpusha]

@@MedlifeCrisis I found you through Emu's channel as well. I teach physiology at a technical college and was looking at Emu's video of the guy who didn't brush his teeth for 40 days and started searching his page to see if perhaps I could find CJ's lab values and use them in my Diabetes lecture. Your video, among others popped up in his playlists. Thank you both so much for all the great work you guys have done. You're furthering the field of science not only by generating content thats fascinating and innovative for aspiring clinicians, but you're also informing lay people. You're empowering everyone!

[@EvVieNiamhNyx]

It’s been 3 years, I’d love to see an updated take for how much impact he has noticed in his practice and if he’s had an increase in people worried about symptoms?

[@seanrawlinson]

This was a much better explanation than Vox’s as to why an ECG is unnecessary for most people who aren’t at risk of heart issues. Keep up the great work!

[@duxnihilo]

11:13 "If he was in another country, he may be less lucky". We all know what country you're talking about.

[@sergiorejtman]

I think there might be dozens of countries he might be refering to, but I think I know which one YOU are thinking. The world is more ample than that, but, you know, in the country you might be refering to, people just don´t realise that!

[@duxnihilo]

@@sergiorejtman That's right! It's time someone finally addressed the state of Papua New Guinea's atrocious healthcare system.

[@lsswappedcessna]

@@duxnihilo How bad is it exactly?

[@zacht9447]

Yeah he could be in canada and be waiting for several months to get seen

[@Grze9898]

The only civilised country with no healthcare service for everybody is.... the country where Apple is established...

[@thoyo]

science + dry British humor= 👍🏾

[@nickrogers6441]

thoyo I was wondering how I could some it up. You hit the nail on the head.

[@therealbobmayo5065]

thoyo why it gotta be a black hand though?

[@stuckurface]

@@therealbobmayo5065 I've got to be honest. I thought the emoji was the swirly piece of shit.

[@kalazakan]

@@stuckurface same lmao

[@imicca]

there is no dry humour, there is humor or there isn't

[@bekahscot1662]

I had to get rid of my Fitbit, it was enabling so much health anxiety it was actually making me ill. I have a family history of heart conditions, but I personally have no symptoms and have had medical tests to check for anything - all healthy. I am an active young person. However, just knowing about my family history was the tiny spark to check my Fitbit obsessively. I would check the data just to “catch anything early”. The anxiety was actually giving me palpitations and so made the anxiety worse. Sometimes too much access to information can be a bad thing, especially if like me you are prone to hypochondria.

[@kennethhumphrey952]

I want this guy for my doctor.

[@davida1b2c3d4c5]

No you don't. He's a cardiologist.... If he's your doctor, it means you have a problem!

[@amiralozse1781]

at least you would die laughing

[@athenachristinemusic]

Amira Lozse hahahahaha

[@Verpal]

@@amiralozse1781 Thats not the worst way to die.

[@ThePicesgurl]

Maybe he could figure out what's going on w my heart... and my fathers

[@akguni]

I was initially skeptical of your point of view, thinking "So what, if you have to send a few more people to 'get some tests done'?" but then you presented your arguments backed up with reason and facts and I came to agree. I have to say, I am disappointed by American Heart Association's apparent endorsement... Are they guided purely by science or the funds they receive?... Great video. Thanks!

[@evolicious]

"American Heart Association's apparent endorsement... Are they guided purely by science or the funds they receive?" The answer isn't obvious to you? If not, you are severely naive to reality.

[@akguni]

Do you know what a rhetorical question is?

[@kalazakan]

@@evolicious It was a rhetorical question, dumbass.

[@afc8981]

Doctor convinces sceptical man with LOGIC and FACTS.

[@alexhenderson87]

akguni the AHA endorsement- If you cant beat em join em. Apple/AI/other tech companies will most likely be the biggest reason for health care reform and improved efficiency. We’re living in a beautiful time.

[@robertlego9335]

This is the first Fitbit I have used. It has some new features kzbin.infoUgkxbkrje8Y7BaqRkAjimw-55ajvVo7RbcIp and I like the information that it gives me.I think the phone app could be designed to be a bit more accommodating, as it can be confusing to use. The rubber band is comfortable, and normally I do not like rubber bands for my watches, but this is comfortable.I am looking forward to seeing if this helps me stay accountable in my fitness endeavors!My only gripe is the box was very damaged when it arrived, however, the tracker is performing perfectly!

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

Wow, you are like Dr. House and Veritasium all in one. I like this channel.

[@neilwilson5785]

In the UK, the women at the front desk will turn you away, sometimes. Keep trying, and you will get to a doctor. Don't just walk away and die.

[@dnltbrca]

Educational AF

[@mikelindqvist8015]

daniel tabarcea I see what you did there

[@setor3ful]

Thank you so much for this vid man. Ive been dealing with some palpitations and my cardiologists just says its nothing. Im 28. And i was going to buy the watch to see if it caught anything my cardiologist didnt, based on a "24" hour tracking. But you just removed a mountain of anciety off my shoulders. For that i am extremely grateful. Do you have a patreon? I wouldnt mind donating.

[@MedlifeCrisis]

That's very kind of you. I don't have a Patreon. I'm happy to settle for people just subscribing and watching 😊

[@sw6118]

How did things work out for you?

[@lindalangve9039]

My Apple Watch kept alerting me multiple times to a low heart rate so I mentioned this to my NP. She did a 12 lead ecg and I was diagnosed with first degree AV block. She said I was the third patient she had whose watch alerted them to a condition that actually turned out to be a medical issue. I was referred to a Cardiologist who did further testing and discovered a leaky Mitral Valve. The bradycardia and the AV and the moderate mitral regurgitation will be monitored yearly and I spent a month on an event monitor because of some symptoms. So far so good. I am a 63 year old female and have a family history of heart disease and strokes. I don’t mind knowing that I have these issues and I don’t obsess on them. I focus on what I can do to stay healthy. The watch is one more tool that I can use to monitor my health and monitor my exercise.

[@RedwihteGame]

Damn man, never have i ever fallen in love so quickly with a channel before. Keep up the good work!

[@evekful]

I agree with you when it comes to the ECG. I have POTS and reflex neurocardiogenic syncope. And the heart rate monitor seems like a good thing in my case. I don’t have a watch like that but i think it could be beneficial to be able to check my heart rate when something feels of. And i could potentially not collapse because of the heart rate monitor. Just a thought.

[@tildenlife]

Ok well you’re now my favorite doctor. And I’m a HUGE apple fanboy. What a great distillation of a complex topic. Thanks so much for the time and effort it took you to do this. Cheers.

[@MedlifeCrisis]

Thanks! Video on the latest Apple Heart study coming in the next few days :)

[@stickersteve9343]

Huge Apple fanboy? Huge idiot.

[@GabrielDalposso]

I didn't expect a doctor to be this funny

[@MarksTech]

my friend actually tried the EKG on the Apple Watch yesterday and it came back as A-fib. he went to the doctor and will be seeing a cardiologist soon. so - clearly, this app is saving lives. as he wouldn't have ever know about his condition until it was probably too late.

[@maxmeier532]

You dont get it do you. His life wasnt saved. He would still be fine without the damn watch. Afib is nothing that kills like it's fucking Ebola. It's a risk factor that's all. Many people have had it for years not knowing about it and nothing happened.

[@lesbutler273]

@@maxmeier532So no one has died directly, or indirectly - stroke for example -, as a result of AF?

[@Cin9999]

The casual humor + edits crack me up so much every time ^^ Its the perfect vehicle for these spicy science bits. You could give great lectures in University. Great work. Btw do you have any plans on making a video on diet and heart health? I feel like the media and the food industry have really muddied the waters to the point its almost a religious issue. There are people like Dr Kim Allan Williams, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn who are really convinced their plant based diet-thing reverses atherosclerosis better than any drug etc. and on the other side people straight up deny that saturated fat and meat and stuff have any negative impact at all. I guess the AHA is somewhere in the middle but then again they are sponsored big time by (fast/) food companies and have a really strange divide in the conclusions of their research and the actual diet recommendations they give out. I would be quite interested in your perspective.

[@MedlifeCrisis]

Thanks! That's really nice to hear. Re: your question - short answer, yes I definitely do plan on it. But I have some reservations. 1 - I've seen colleagues get really hounded and trolled by opposing camps when they've voiced a fairly non-controversial position on something (in my opinion) like "keto has some problems" or "some fats ARE bad for you". 2 - it's such a minefield these days, it's very hard for a jobbing doctor like me to know what to believe, so the public must be drowning in misinformation. Many prominent academics, nutrition experts, doctors etc talk such BS it's hard to cut through. So if I do it, I really want to get it right and spend the time. I will - one day! A no-holds-barred take down of the religious (that's what they've become) diet extremists! Thanks again :)

[@Cin9999]

Very nice! I know what you mean by minefield - even as a med student I have seen the mudslinging that goes on. I knew a MD here in the UKE, Hamburg, Germany (big university hospital) that voiced his problems with the food patients get served. As soon as he was senior physician and became even more active with it, stuff went really crazy. I had never thought bullying like that would even be possible in academia today. Long story short - he quit. So I totally get why you have reservations. Still really looking forward to it.

[@xCorvus7x]

@@Cin9999 Wow, this hospital rather seems to work under a Hypocritic Oath.

[@Cin9999]

δτ Thats the weird thing otherwise its the most modern advanced clinic in Europe , employs 12.000 people, absolute giant ...but when it comes to thats its weird.

[@xCorvus7x]

@@Cin9999 Ist dieses Problem Folge eines Profitdrucks?

[@Telukin]

The stress of worrying about a condition you don't actually have feels harmful to me! I've had similar anxiety before, based on a home observation and Google, and had long-term anxiety over what I thought was a problem. Being able to search for things is amazing, but it's too easy to scare yourself, and if you have history of anxiety, it's only going to make things worse.

[@thegovernment3653]

I just ordered an Apple Watch. Hopefully it will let me know when I’ve done too much cocaine, Viagra, and SexyTime5.

[@XAGR-hn3qt]

🤔 smart

[@RealMudSkipper]

From one physician to another, excellent job.

[@madiantin]

Ok, how have I not found your videos sooner? Not only are you informative, you're also engaging and hilarious. So glad KZbin randomly recommended you to me.

[@cagritekinay]

I need a t-shirt that says "AF is serious af"

[@ThePicesgurl]

Yessssss

[@milanomato248]

@@ThePicesgurl sometimes Permanent AF

[@warpathh]

Honestly. Awesome video. You've got a great look, voice, and appearance. You should continue doing this... .People need formally trained and educated people reviewing and analyzing new tech. Keep it up!

[@popgunandy]

My Apple Watch alerted me to a racing heart rate on New Year's Day...it waiting 20-30 minutes before it sent me the alert. I was not feeling well but had no idea why. A blood pressure monitor I keep at home validated the information and identified super high BP. I went to the ER at the advice of a call-in nurse and they identified through an ECG an atrial flutter causing the problem. While waiting I performed one on my watch that matched their findings. They corrected the flutter with a drug, observed me for a while, and sent me home. My own doctor referred me to a cardiologist and he validated the findings but found no underlying problem following an echocardiogram and two-weeks on a monitor. I've had no symptoms since. Every professional I encountered was glad I went to the ER and it only happened because of the watch. Just fyi, I am a 54-year-old man with no underlying medical issue except arthritis. I appreciate the doctor's analysis, but I think it's smarter to simply put a watch's report in some sort of context rather than dismiss its value. When you have an adverse finding, there are steps to take before going nuclear with a diagnosis or rejection of the report.

[@NicolaiJohannesenDK]

Can you please make an update on your opinion after having this feature for a couple of years? I would find it very interesting what you think now?

[@scyogagirl]

I love this video...thank you for explaining this in such easy to understand terminology! I wish you were my doctor...your humor, even while explaining such important information, is much needed!

[@teuton8363]

I like your humor ....I mean humour :-)

[@brendanswords4659]

Yes humour, good.

[@MrIlovesubaru]

@@brendanswords4659 Indeed, the correct spelling. :)

[@emmamemma4162]

Humor=body fluid

[@triestelondon]

@@emmamemma4162 If the joke is funny enough.

[@mcseedat]

Tumor and tumour?

[@AccountingArcher]

Love the videos and no BS, I wish so many more people and videos was fact based and not opinions.

[@leviathan85]

This is great well-produced content, and I'm surprised you only have 5200 subscribers! I suspect you're going to be much bigger in the future. I think the next time want to go through my usual diatribe and explanation to a patient how unnecessary testing can cause them harm, I'll just share this with them instead.

[@JrBlaneknship]

Thanks for the video doctor! I’m a 43 year old male living in the USA. I’ve had “a fib” all my life since I was 25. I go in and out of it, episodes sometimes don’t happen for weeks, and when I have them, typically last 2 to 12 hours. I take 2 baby aspirin a day and when episodes happen I make sure to rest until I convert back to normal rhythm. I have a heart doctor and a family doctor that are aware, but I’m not on blood thinners, just aspirin maintenance, and my job is physical so I get exercise there. I have a yearly checkup, and I’m very healthy and the heart is healthy. I completely manage it on my own. Thank you for saving me $500!

[@DemstarAus]

I think you are exactly the person who doesn't need it, or wouldn't rely on it as you are under the care and advice of medical professionals. I think there is a big danger that people assume a monitor replaces medical supervision, a healthy lifestyle and management of symptoms.

[@karilynnwilson8967]

I binged all of your videos! I need more! Thank you so much for making these. This is one of my favorite channels.

[@MedlifeCrisis]

Wow that's so nice of you to say but I feel sorry for you if you watched all my videos at once! Even my own family can't tolerate that much of me😂 Thanks!

[@jacobmartin8332]

“...but it didn’t work and it just makes it sound like I’m trying to show off about my holiday. Which I was, but it’s my channel, so tuff luck.” Subscribed.

[@anobesedonut]

Yesterday at work, i saw an ED admission note saying 'Pt well. IPhone app said in AF. ECG shows sinus rhythm'. Kinda says it all!

[@DonHousiferBMI]

Mike Olivier I'm curious to know what you did next. And also why they were admitted. If they were in sinus presumably the next step would be to determine their stroke risk and need for anticoagulation. In your setting is that done via an inpatient admission?

[@DonHousiferBMI]

@@ansnfbsknanssshshbsnsndnd5438 yes, it does. AF can be "paroxysmal", meaning episodic. Having an episode of AF can be a non-event, or it may trigger a medical work up and possible treatment.

[@whatever4053]

"AF is serious af" 😂

[@petrthingsilike8487]

This is a really great video. Clear, understandable, to the point. No Bias. Thank you so much for it.

[@user-sn8oe5sb1b]

Even more worrisome I believe is the risk for the opposite of what you're describing, and that is a false sense of security. You see, Tommy is obese, he lives a sedentary life, and he's got undiagnosed type 2 diabetes and hypertension. He often doesn't feel very well after eating, and randomly feels lightheaded. Another person might decide to go see a doctor after that has happened a few times, because he can put two and two together in his head, realize he's in a risk group. But not Tommy, because Tommy spent too many dollars on an Apple watch that told him everything was fine.

[@adorabasilwinterpock6035]

almafuertegmailcom I can’t understand why Apple haters hate on the company for trying to save lives.

[@loveforsberg530]

@@adorabasilwinterpock6035 Sarcasm? I hope so.

[@rifwann]

@@adorabasilwinterpock6035 you wouldnot overprice thing if your main purpose is to help.. apple is a profit organization

[@prapanthebachelorette6803]

Interesting points here

[@meditating010]

I didn't expect a doc talking like you just did. Appreciate your inputs.

[@JohannesNielsen]

Actually the link between the Leech and the medication was brilliant

[@Holystone48]

I am a 71 year old male. I purchased an Apple Watch about a year and a half ago. When I was running through the various applications I tried the ECG function. In less than a minute the watch came back informing me that I was in Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)...I immediately contacted my doctor for an appointment. She confirmed that I was indeed in AFib and needed to be treated. I am still undergoing treatment. Thank you Apple!

[@jacobnelson3176]

This really needs to get more views

[@MedlifeCrisis]

MEDICAL FACT

[@yamsylm]

Agreed

[@peterhardie4151]

Its just blown up.

[@1TW1-m5i]

It's informative af

[@aniforprez]

@@carloandreaguilar5916 your comment is pretty stupid in itself. not only did he not talk about the technical aspects, he dove into the deeper aspects of misdiagnosis and how the studies by apple and stanford may not be transparent enough to prove that it is useful. whether apple tests once or 5 or 57 times a day, it's a low precision device that can get it wrong. if anything, relying on a tech device to tell you you're healthy seems more ignorant as for "The Apple Watch has saved many lives", citation needed :)

[@thysonsacclaim]

Here because of Tom Scott. Love your channel--have no idea how I knew about Chubbyemu but not you!

[@kotodamamidnight412]

Very witty channel. Good material here, mate! Keep on Keepin On! We need more professionals of every field on KZbin!

[@alir.9894]

Whoa! This KZbin should be mandatory watching!

[@COddietsch]

Excellent information, liked your sense of humor. I have been told by ER Dr’s and my Cardiologist the same thing your saying. I supportively have a strong heart, owe thousands in testing now because I have palpitations and every once in a while my heart can’t figure out what to do so I go from a resting 60 to 160-170 bpm within a minute and sometimes it lasts for a few minutes. I go to the ER, get checked out and months later it happens again. So, unless I’m in pain or unconscious, I do my best to wait it out since I am also told that 160 bpm is where I should be working out, so even though it is discerning and uncomfortable..... DONT FREAK OUT. Ok! I was going to get an Apple Watch 4 because of this but I guess I’ll get one because it’s cool and it has other fitness apps.

[@ecgrn]

Excellent points made! I've been involved with ECG/medical/nursing for the last 36 years! When I heard there was going to be an ECG monitoring capability on the Apple Watch, I thought the axact concerns as you stated. The general public is not well educated on the risks/benefits of any medical technologies, along with the risks for type I nor type II errors (as you allude to)! I will have my nursing students (and anyone else interested) watch this video as a matter of reference and education. Thanks for posting this!

[@lsswappedcessna]

I always thought Queen Elizabeth II was more of a Rolex kind of woman but okay.

[@Verpal]

She is one of the few people other than us pleb who actually defines the watch she wears, rather than being defined by the watch she wears.

[@lsswappedcessna]

@@Verpal True.

[@redline8411]

Nah, she had to start wearing tag Heuer since she started paying taxes.

[@champagnebatsman]

Thanks for this video. The anxiety and the fixation of constantly monitoring my heart on the watch was driving me nuts.

[@firozosman]

Dr.Rohin, you..are.. the epitome of subtlety in info-humor!!!

[@timp102]

Brilliant video. Balance of science and rational interpretation wrapped up in wonderful British wit. Many thanks for taking the time to make this content. 😊

[@juansymontano]

Thank you. Thank you so much. This helps me a lot with my anxiety. Been to multiple doctors and they all assured me that I am healthy. Bought an apple watch to obsess about my heart. Good thing I watched this. Now I’ll just use it for basic data gathering and as a watch. Not as a “medical equipment”.

[@JorgeGalrito]

I'm very glad you're okay. However, why didn't you trust your multiple doctors and had to be one on the internet to reassure you?

[@juansymontano]

More of: the doctors assured that I am ok. He explains why I shouldn’t self diagnose and trust the doctors. Which is more assurance. But trust me when I get my next panic attack I’ll doubt this again and go for yet another checkup lol.

[@JorgeGalrito]

@@juansymontano Ahah, I understand completely. I'm just like that.

[@Hisusi_Het]

I'm the same. My watch shows really high and really low heart beats and have such a bad anxiety over that

[@bryancopeland5764]

My opinion as an apple watch user .. It is not meant or expected to replace official diagnosis, but rather serve as an early warning to let your doctor (the expert) decide what to do and what (official) tests to run.

[@allesklarklaus147]

Well, yes it is. But that's the problem and what the whole video is about, essentially. He doesn't say it is always a bad thing.. but that it can be!

[@libbydormouse318]

I wore an Abulatory ECG machine for 3 weeks. It has 4 sensors. I was diagnosed with SVT serious enough to require Ablation surgery reference. I then had to move homes, and the jurisdictional cardiologist I then had to see disagreed with the standing opinion. (that was not only from this moniter, but also from exams and test upto 3 years history from doctors abroad where I lived amd they also suggested ablation) They are now requiring me to do the abulatory monitering again with no medication (as I am currently on a lot to control it) as the new cardiologist said she saw NO SIGN ATALL of SVT..... how can this be?

[@richardpells5974]

Wow, you have a talent for disseminating this sort of technical stuff...fascinating! So pleased I found the channel. Thanks!

[@GertrudeGrindhorn]

I loved this video!! You are a 'no bullshit' and funny Cardiologist, thank you for this video!! I am awaiting a Fitbit Versa watch, and plan to use it to monitor all that it can do. But what I will not do, is panic when my heart profile might look a bit odd, because the chances are that I am very normal, my heart has always been like this, and the fact is that we all feel the odd 'funny heartbeat now and then, there's nothing wrong with me, etc, etc. It is clear that we are in the early stages of 'large data gathering', and unless you really feel unwell, don't waste your doctors' time...I look forward to watching to more videos from you...thanks :)

[@brycenrodrigo]

The way you speak and display your self is awesome! Hope your channel takes off, Dr!

[@akkarodia9745]

Hi Doc. I really enjoy your content and have learnt a lot. Can I suggest that you produce a similar video on Heart Rate Variability. This is a hot topic for most athletes and the relevant sports watch produces and apps.

[@theagilecoach2435]

I think this largely falls into his tennis-club analogy.. i.e. not really a medical/hospital issue; most athletes should just crack on and go for it according to whatever goals they have and training regime them and their coach buy into. The main issue from what I've seen is, do you take some time to stay in recovery zone if you detect heart strain, which is the new orthodox stance or is that precisely the time when pushing further might give you highest chance of adaptation to a new level, some epigenetic effect, make you start producing a new protein... I'd like to see his take but don't wait for it! other research is out there

[@JonMcG]

Dude , you soooooo have a new subscriber . Awesome video , I was entertained the whole way through ( Cant say that for most vids on KZbin these days )

[@awsomelightningwolfaj173]

I'm addicted to these videos now.

[@MrJames_1]

Interesting stuff. Does it track heart rate variability (HRV)? Do you think analysing HRV is a helpful thing or just more data to ponder?

[@MurgenTemplar]

I survived a heart attack, 2 stents, and wear my apple watch just to keep track of my heart rate range. Thank you for this video.

[@kronosfatheroftime4825]

Deus vult!

[@maxmeier532]

Your watch or your heart rate has nothing to do with your heart attack. You have cononary heart disease.

[@29erfast]

heart attacks and coronary disease increase the chance of deadly arrhythmias such as ventricular tachicardia so it actually does make sense

[@kalazakan]

@@maxmeier532 get rekt

[@Daygomadebrian]

Do you have series’s 3 or 4?

[@ducatidad8231]

I’m 49 and just been diagnosed with AF. I bought the watch only for the Ecg function. I’m being treated but had a few events since a cardioversion but find it useful if only to ‘see’ what my hearts doing. Unless like me you need that extra detail at home, imho buy a Fitbit 👍

[@MrDominic152]

I have AF... and I know exactly when I'm in AF.. My cardioligst says to use the AliveCor sensor with my iPhone in order to send a PDF of my ECG. I do like the look of the new iWatch however.

[@MedlifeCrisis]

Apple released a statement yesterday saying the Apple Watch is not suitable for people with AF. Rather a strange statement to be honest. www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/apple-now-says-its-smartwatch-app-to-detect-atrial-fibrillation-is-not-for-those-with-atrial-fibrillation/2018/12/06/cb5c46bc-f978-11e8-8c9a-860ce2a8148f_story.html?noredirect=on&.8b02fb4f3f04

[@MrDominic152]

Thanks for the update Medlife Crisis well that’s that... I guess it’s AliveCor for me then.

[@maxmeier532]

@@MedlifeCrisis It's apparently something they can quote (along with all the other legal terms in the manual) when they get sued for big bucks when people with afib who rely on the apple watch function die.

[@prapanthebachelorette6803]

Thanks for sharing. I have AF and I’m in my 20s.

[@MrDominic152]

@@prapanthebachelorette6803 I did end up buying the iwatch 6 😆

[@Jollyprez]

Subsequent to this video, it turns out that one of the main benefits of the Apple Watch is detecting V-Tach. - Ventricular Tachycardia, or rapid heart beat. There are quite a few people who were alerted by their Apple Watch that their rhythms were faster than 200 bpm. In MY case - I was the recipient of one as I had a STEMI in 2016. Having even a single-lead ECG with me at all times has been a RELIEF rather than a worry. Also, it detected a problem for ME, too. In January, my rate accelerated to 170 for no discernible reason. My normal rate ( with meds ) is 55-65. Turned-out that I had a bad reaction to some cold medications. I don't think that would constitute a false alarm....

[@prapanthebachelorette6803]

Thanks for sharing

[@StevenBrown-me]

(As you stated) More data is always better. If one is overly anxious about possibly inaccurate warnings of heart irregularity, the proper response is to control one’s anxiety, not to “kill the messenger,“ as it were. Wear the new Apple Watch, and if the “lo-res” EKG detects any irregularity, escalate to purchasing the more accurate band/phone combo, and give yourself even more data with which to make an informed decision. Thanks for the video, I appreciate it very much and thought it was great. In aggregate, across a large sample, maybe a low-quality EKG (such as the one in the Apple Watch) will do more harm than good, by creating worry or obsessive behavior, clogging the doctors’ office, or triggering some users to make uninformed assumptions. But if it is a commonly available technology that can give me any chance to avoid dying by escalating the monitoring of my heart (I.e. “if the Apple Watch detects something, move up to the next level of monitoring.“), … Then for me, it would certainly be a good thing. My opinion only, and I recognize and appreciate your much deeper understanding of this issue. Thanks again 🙂👍

[@scb2scb2]

The problem there is and i have several heart problems and all the tools i now have as a patient to get information myself using simple and cheapish tools combined with google at times help in that i know more about what is happening but also at times i worry and might even get some kind of panic attack... And now i get pills to suppress them... I am not stupid so i tell myself not to worry but do so sometimes now take a oxa-pill and chill out just in case. I support apple fully in trying to monitor more esp. for olderly and people like me that are clearly in risk groups the amount of data and things we can learn will i am sure safe lives down the road but as a personal user i can totally see the points made in the video.... But for me it all started by a long time not knowing anything and living my life until i knew something when i was in IC unit .. that not the perfect way either.

[@scb2scb2]

But get the new apple watch 4.0 the screen is so much nicer than the old one :) .. The main feature of the apple watch is to use notifications to ignore people faster and not get your phone out :)

[@StevenBrown-me]

Daniel Ockeloen I see your point. Take care of yourself, whatever the best way is 🙂👍

[@maxmeier532]

Killing the messager, or better put, not buying the apple watch, is the most effective of controlling your anxiety. You completely missed the point the guy was making about the positive predictive value.Smart devices arent produced for your convenience in mind, but for making tons of money. Selling people health they didnt know they were lacking is a con. Dont fall for it. And if you do, dont promote it and have some dignity.

[@scb2scb2]

@@maxmeier532 Companies make things to make money thats how things are, I had problems before it there are many things of value this device brings i like it alot and apple makes money yes... The question is (like with google and researching yourself) it also has dangers but the reverse is also true missing signals nearly killed me a decade ago... Its just something we need to balance.

[@grandcanyon6615]

I had an ablation procedure for my AF in 2008 for one side of my heart, then one in 2009 for the other. The Dr. is correct AF is nothing to mess around with. When you had it like I had it at aged 62 you can feel the skipping, the pauses, and the racing. It is extremely unsettling and downright scary. So, am I going to get the new Series 4, damn right I am.

[@mitchyk]

At 44 i sued to think like this and then i had a stroke. I've since been found to have had several strokes that were mis-diagnosed. I also have POTS, vasovagal syndrome, ehlers danloss syndrome, fibromyalgia, and several other related illneses. I need to keep eye on my heart rate as it often goes above 160 and stays there and then a valsalvo maneuvre i've been taught is required to bring it down. My life isn't fun but i'm still alive. I use an android watch as apple is a rip off. But it's important to me to do whatever i can to stay as healthy as possible. For people with pre-exisitng conditions that need monitoring i think there is room for this technology.

[@HarryEffieAnna]

I have had Afib/SVT 3 times - at 24,29, and 34 years old. I have been electro cardioverted for all 3 events. I have learned a lot over the past 10 years and the ECG function serves me well - despite being a youngish guy. I know people from ages 13 to 29 who have the ECG feature and have 0 (zero) logged ECG’s in their health app. They could care less about it. I think this feature is important to apples future since people between 35-45 years old are 1)still very interested in tech and 2)getting older. This is step 1 of what is to come in the world of medicine in regards to obtaining useful data. Any cardiac patient would know that not using a multi lead ecg machine will not generate hyper accurate data. But as you learn yourself - you may be able to notice patterns. For example, a change in position caused a short run of a-fib. It’s about knowing the data and not always acting on it. In your example - if a patient comes in one A-fib reading and you instruct them to relax and that it’s nothing... yet they still become hyper anxious? Thats the doctors responsibility. I often have to extract as much data as I can from my Cardiologists in order for me to feel comfortable. I doctors need to show more data or follow up with data to make their patients take something serious or to allow their patients to relax. Everything is data driven today - and i feel we need more data in this regards.

[@paolino1975]

A very interesting analysis which shines a whole new light on something which I initially only thought could be of benefit in terms of AF diagnosis. Thanks :-)

[@mitchelldean5397]

Since I found you through Tom Scott's channel I have been steadily munching through the rest of your videos, they really are amazing... Also I have seen ads on every single one. There was one for a new flavour of Coke at the start of this one...

[@DavidRichfield]

The Latin word "data" might be grammatically plural, but the way it's used nowadays to refer to masses of little bits of information makes it a mass noun, and using it as a grammatical singular in English is perfectly fine.

[@bob15479]

you wear glasses so imma take your word on that

[@carllange3950]

David Richfield I totally agree. My educational background is mathematics & science (mostly physics) so I get the whole datum/data thing, but in my 35+ year career in IT (business), I rarely heard “data” being used as a plural noun. In fact, 98.6% of the English speaking world (guess which orifice that number was pulled from) uses (or should I say “use”) “data” as a singular noun.

[@hakairyu1]

“Data” should be treated as an uncountable noun

[@ginnyjollykidd]

It's the way British people regard groups. When they say the BBC does something, they treat it like a plural: "The BBC are happy to announce... " for example. Or "The President's cabinet are advising him..." "The IBEW Union are sponsoring a dinner..."

[@nickhahn5412]

Just want to share an experience. Shortly after getting my watch i did the ECG and was given a normal rating. A few days ago I felt what I now know as chest palpitations. I did the check and the watch said i had a potential AFib. Not just once either, it was several times in a row, after only getting negative readings. Went to the hospital, and I was diagnosed with AF and told to stay away from energy drinks for the rest of my life... I can provide you with my medical records and some screen shots from the watch if you would like to see them. And I would certainly value your second opinion...

[@HangYuriYangFX]

Hope you are doing ok Nick. Get better! Don't drink too much energy drinks they are bad

[@MrXrisd01]

Great video. I agree with everything you said. I often say to patients if you go looking for a problem you'll find one. Subscribed.

[@danielgray7742]

This was my issue. Even the slightest palpation or heart rhythm. I would freak out. I became fixated. My anxiety increased. After i quit freaking out over it, my life got better. Looking for problems that weren't there

[@skorfex7047]

Sometimes In the mornings when I wake up, I see an alert that says “My heart rate went over 130 bpm during a period of inactivity” but I think I might just be having dreams, and I get excited while I sleep or something

[@mr_k4tz]

As a relatively young man (44) who had a stroke earlier this year, I really appreciate this video. The cause of the stroke was unknown but my doctor put me on Prednisone and 3 months of heart monitoring for suspected AF. After a month of daily migraines from the Prednisone, I had to convince my doctor that quality of life is something he might consider, he agreed to let me stop, albeit fairly reluctantly. I'm still taking statins and Asprin which have no noticeable side effects. In addition, My cardiologist wants to implant a heart bug. From the sound of your video, there would be little benefit to implanting the device in a youngish patient, especially since 3 months of monitoring revealed nothing. It makes me crazy how some doctors prescribe medication and procedures without considering the impact on patients' lives and mental health. It's nice to see a doctor who "gets it".

[@btonasse]

I fail to understand the similarities between what you describe what Rohin talks about in the video. His example hadn't had a stroke before going to the doctor. Of course you should always discuss alternatives with your physician, but second-guessing them based on a slightly related youtube video is a going a bit too far, don't you think?

[@Onz70]

Thank you. You have just saved me a lot of money. I will buy the SE2 without the ECG monitor. Great video

[@mick2d2]

I went ot the doctor's once, because I had a pain in my kidneys. When lying in bed at night, if I wanted to pee, the pain seemed to get worse. I was starting to get quite worried. Was I becoming diabetic? Were my kidneys going to fail? I went to see my doctor and told him about my problem, thinking, hopefully he'd send me to a specialist to get it fixed. He said, "your kidneys aren't there, they're higher up! It's probably a bit of lumbago." I slept like a baby that night. 8)

[@eac-ox2ly]

I swear to fucking god I thought "lumbago" was something along the lines of "ligma" or "sugondese". These internet memes have ruined my mind beyond all repair.

[@Saturn.argo.]

Voshchronos lum ba golls

[@yanuchiuchihaanimegamesand3907]

Meh... other chance was Kidney Stones [from drinking water high in calcium]

[@giaa.7349]

Voshchronos sugondese in dumb sweetie

[@pneumonoultramicroscopicsi4065]

@@yanuchiuchihaanimegamesand3907 so you expect people to take medical advice not from a doctor but from someone with an anime name

[@mchockey3291]

An ad played at the beginning for me! Not sure if that’s what you meant by “no ads” or if you just haven’t posted any ads. Just wanted to let you know 👍🏼

[@mchockey3291]

Side note I have Long QT syndrome and this is all very important to me. Thanks for the video

[@bryans8653]

Hey great video. I think your points are valid and very well thought out and spoken. Personally I have a tiny hole in my heart. I didn’t find out until my 20s when I started to get serious heart palpitations. It’s small but does cause heart skips more often and fibrillation a few times a year. The doctors have never been able to catch the ekg and I’m stubborn and don’t want to have it induced in the clinic. So for me the Apple Watch is a nice non intrusive device that might actually record something useful for the doctors. If I was to wear that chest device I would have to wear it for half a year at least which would suck. So while it’s not the best tech it is non invasive which is what part of the allure is for people like me.

[@MedlifeCrisis]

I agree, for someone like you with a) a specific problem you're trying to catch and b) symptoms then it could offer some definite help. Although it should be said that you could already achieve the same result for less money with an older Apple Watch and the Alivecor Kardia Band. But the new watch has lots of other cool features.

[@F_K3NT_D]

Great voy, great British humor, good to see s different opinion/view. Only thing is that the ECG feature on the Apple Watch is only available in the US because it hasn’t been approved in the UK

[@billoisgod]

such a great and informative video, eye opener! I am very shocked that FDA approved it despite the incomplete data provided. I am more shocked about the president of cardiology society showing up on stage.

[@tbirkley101]

I was diagnosed with AF 1yr ago after wearing a Zio patch 3 lead monitor prescribed by my cardiologist. I’m 39. Within a week I bought an Apple series 4 to help monitor it. The AF progressed rapidly. I would be in AF plus rapid heart rate at above 150+ beats a minute, while sitting, for 3+hrs at the max consistently. The Apple Watch seemed to mirror the tests, the EKG’s the ECHO’s while I took them. I took a reading frequently, the second I had a feeling of AF. I’m fit. I work out 5-6 days a week for 15yrs. I run, I lift, I do all kinds of different training. It’s as much a part of my life as sleeping. As the AF progressed I couldn’t do 1/2 what I used to. I used the Apple Watch to let me know at the gym if I was in AF or rapid heart rate and if I was, I stopped. I relayed all this information to my cardiologist, in phone calls when worried or at a scheduled appointment. 4mon after being diagnosed with AF I had an ablation surgery recommended by my cardiologist. That was 5mo ago. Now I have no AF. I’m back in the gym like I used to be. I’m down 20lbs. I feel like I used to. Now this is mainly due to my exceptional surgeon and the multiple EKG’s, ECG’s, Zio patch and other test they run. I do though feel the Apple Watch gave me the ability to monitor my heart when the doctors weren’t, in my everyday life, and allowed me to communicate what they saw. This helped convince them, I believe that my ablation procedure should happen sooner. Within 5mo of diagnosis I was operated on and 5mo after I feel great. For a year before I was miserable everyday. I barely check my heart on my watch anymore. It did though greatly effect my ability to get well quicker.

[@bingohhhhhhhhhhhh]

Just curious as it's been 4 years since your post - how are you doing now? Did the ablation take and you've had no further procedures?

[@chris_jorge]

I thought the Apple Watch was FDA “cleared”not fda approved

[@MedlifeCrisis]

Correct, I originally went into this but cut it as the video was getting too long.

[@chris_jorge]

@@MedlifeCrisis No worries. Fantastic job on the review and analysis. firstly, thank you for trying to dumb this down for mere mortals like me to understand. to me your basic examples sound incredibly complex, such as the bit about the normal guy being turned into a patient. But that's probably rather common for you, even without the watch. health care is so incredibly complex, hat's off to you and other health care providers for doing what you do. just have a few thoughts perhaps you can talk about in a new video. imagine you were one of the consultants brought early on by apple and they tell you "hey we're thinking about building this". what would the discussion be like. then fast forward 2 years after launch. Apple now has all this data available. what new tools or processes can you dream of that would help you or your patients. anything goes: telemedicine, AI, etc. thanks again!!!

[@maxmeier532]

@@MedlifeCrisis You shouldnt have called it "approved" then cause it is factually wrong and implicates something that is not the case. Apple is using it for their marketing even though it means- nothing.

[@zombiewulfgrld6055]

“All Patients are people, but not all people are patients”. Unnecessary testing, especially invasive techniques is big in the U.S. Beware. Take Care. Just LIVE your Life until there’s no life left to live. This video was great!!

[@CDLynas]

Excellent video, as an video developer for medical specialists in Australia I greatly appreciate the effort that has went into this video. Very informative and delivered effectively.

[@adamx9949]

Absolutely excellent video highlighting the problem of having too much information, with too little context , with no frames of reference, and a lack of a sense of proportion caused by corporate interests

[@Xaevryn]

It's better than the samsung gear's heart rate moniter. If my heart rate is over 120 BPM right after waking up and still in bed... Well that's a a concern. So I can only assume it's way off. Also it says I burned 2k calories after 250 steps. What kind of mutant am I?

[@yanuchiuchihaanimegamesand3907]

Saitama?

[@kaitlyn__L]

Most people do in fact burn a majority of their calories just maintaining homeostasis.. so if it's showing total calories for the day that makes sense. The guideline of 2500 calories per day is given very mild activity, if you're doing more serious exercise you can easily go above 3000. Conversely if you live a sedentary life, you're still recommended 1500-2000 calories a day to maintain your body's systems. Assuming you've given it accurate data about your height and weight, and bearing in mind a roughly 10% range of accuracy on wrist-based heart rate monitors (eg I count 130 beats over a minute after jogging, the watch said 125-135 over that minute), then giving the calorie burn numbers similarly sized grains of salt, it should be reasonably accurate. The maths to work it out with omnipresent heart rate data is not that complicated. I don't know about Samsung but Fitbits will say total calorie burn over a day but also how many calories a specific period of exercise burned. On a low activity day it says about 2100 total for me, on a medium-to-high activity day it'll be between 2800 and 4000. The per activity breakdown is usually about 300-600 per activity. Which is still pretty small compared to the homeostasis cost. An extra 40-100% energy expenditure from a medium to big Actual Exercise Session? All that exertion and effort and breathlessness for multiple hours (over 10% of the day) only sometimes just about matches what the body does anyway; to stay warm, keep blood flowing, digest food. And the body can regulate how much energy it spends on homeostasis to a degree, that's why people with eating disorders so commonly feel freezing and tired all the time. The body noticed not many calories going in, and has turned down the body heat output to try and compensate a little. Conversely people who lift weights and eat properly will feel warmer all the time, the metabolic load increases due to maintaining many more muscle cells, which also generate heat from movement, which has to come from somewhere. It's the same reason that lifting weights without getting your macros means no gains - the body's energy prioritisation system says times are too "cash strapped" to invest in building new muscle "infrastructure".

[@lindsaysheffield]

I have the Apple Watch because of basically every other feature. I’m just 34 but have significant med issues. My cardiologist likes that it gives him HR data (dysautonomia keeps me brady) and since I pass out often the fall detection is nice. I’ve had plenty of 12 lead EKGs, been in tele, etc that shows occasional A-fib but it’s no big deal. If I feel the weird fluttery feeling I might try to capture it. My docs pretty early on told me they were more concerned with symptoms than numbers. I only monitor BP and such when I feel weird. Education is super important.

[@miab5746]

Lindsay Sheffield im thinking of getting one for my dysautonomia too. Do you think it’s really really worth it?

[@Juelehuele]

My Apple Watch alerted me of atrial fibrillation and it was 100% right. I was hospitalized and then recovered to normal life. In my own experience I have to say it worked and I thank Apple for developing this technology. I am 52 years old and never had heart issues of any kind.

[@Kindness808]

I am interested in the implications of the HR capabilities of the Apple Watch. My father has Afib and has undergone 2 or 3 ablations. I've wondered if he had owned an Apple Watch if maybe he wouldn't have had to find out about this condition at the point that he needed 12 days in the hospital. Maybe it would have tipped him off to irregular activity. Thank you for your perspective on this. Helpful.

[@kennethhumphrey952]

Maybe it's not something to run to the doctor about but at least it might prompt you that there might be a possible problem. Many times we go into the doctor without any information and they give us a good bill of health and they haven't done anything. There is nothing like spending a grand at the hospital and being told to take Advil.

[@mathuswins]

Thats the best explanation I have heard until now why overtracking may not be a good idea for everyone.

[@madeleinegerlach4854]

This is a great video! "AF is serious af" still gets me. I made the same joke to my Nana when she was diagnosed at 86.I am the definition of what you refer to as a patient, and it sucks, especially in the US. Anyway, when I got an Apple Watch it was for the falling thing. When I found out it had the "EKG" on it, I almost laughed out loud. I've had dozens of EKGs in the ED or hospital, and have worn the heart monitor thing. I just keep thinking it's going to add to cyberchondria, like you said.

[@prapanthebachelorette6803]

This is serious stuff indeed

[@thinhphan3816]

apple watch saves man's life Apple marketing team: allow us to introduce ourselves

[@sasidharreddy5000]

Nicely done. Thank you. We need doctors that help reduce the anxiety and bring some common sense to the people become less smarter with each increase of smart devices. Guess, there is a dynamic balance between man and machine and keeping sanity is important in keeping that balance.

[@juicerlol]

I had an ad for an audiobook. I suggest emailing youtube to notify them of their advertisments where you dont benefit.

[@jacquelinepayne4737]

Well said! I wasn’t interested in the people “yelling from the rooftops” Apple saved my life diagnosing my heart. I work in the medical field, I felt it was an “expensive toy”. Then I heard about the Florida girl whose watch told her her heart was racing while sitting in church to get medical attention immediately. She went to her mom who is a nurse and she mimicked the watches reading. Mom takes daughter to Urgent Care. (I questioned why the mom would go to urgent care versus and emergency room initially) At urgent care they tell the family she needs to be in a emergency room not urgent care. Why the mom didn’t use her nursing skills still bothers me to this day. (especially after they listed the daughters symptoms for the past few months 🤷🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️). They go to the emergency room and they run tests and the conclusion was the daughters kidneys were functioning at less than 30%. With the strenuous exercise that the daughter was engaged in could have ended up with her dying at practice. The mother reached out to Apple and Tim Cook telling their story and a snapshot of the daughter being hospitalized. This is what impressed me about the watch. Having worked at The Cleveland Clinic I agree with the statement that the physician made in this video. But this was “the only case” that I heard of the watch monitoring other vital life threatening functions outside of the heart. This is why I purchased the watch. My cardiologist is a young Russian descent and she informed me. “Watch is toy, it’s bobble. If you have more heart symptoms I order another monitor medical grade”. Just as the doctor stated, not everyone has Atrial Fib. A lot of times doctors will throw a term out in conversation with the patient and they latch hold to that singular word and completely miss the conversation and associate it with something that they don’t have (not diagnosed with) because we’ve been watching too many commercials playing to us in a thirty second spot. When I initially had symptoms my primary care doctor paused but went on and ordered a heart monitor based on the symptoms that I stated I was experiencing. As it turned out it was a heart condition but not Atrial Fib. People be cautious when you feel symptoms. Whip out your phone 📱 and start a set of notes so when you get to your doctor they can treat you according to your true symptoms not something a television commercial suggested.

[@s7bfreeman]

Could I please get CME's for watching your videos? It would justify the time I'm spending and your videos are better than the typical CME lecture videos. 😊 Keep up the good work.

[@brotendo]

I asked my doctor if I should get an Apple Watch for this feature and he said NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. "Don't nocebo yourself."