Apple launched AppleWatch in 2015, pitching it as a communication tool and comprehensive fitness tracker. But now, the Apple Watch is no less than a health monitoring device on the wrist.
Apple is constantly updating the hardware and software of its smartwatch to make it a pocket health device and foray into the healthcare sector.
Today the Apple Watch is the highest selling watch in the Global Markets. The main reason is the extraordinary health tracking features Apple brings to the table.
Here is a table of ratings for the health features of the Apple watch.
| Latest-model | Apple Watch Series 7 |
| Health features↓ | (Out of 10) |
| Activity monitor | 8 |
| Heart rate monitor | 9 |
| Blood pressure | Unavailable |
| Sleep tracking | 6 |
| Fall detection | 10 |
| ECG | 9 |
| Fitness tracking | 10 |
| Blood oxygen Saturation | 8 |
| Body fat composition | Unavailable |
Let us dive deep and know more about the health features of Apple Watches.
- ECG and Heart Rate Monitoring
Apple Watch has a built-in electrical heart sensor that allows it to conduct ECG and monitor heart rate. With its help, the Apple watch can check unusual high or low heart rates that can be signs of serious cardiovascular problems.
The smartwatch can also detect irregular heart rhythms, which could be due to atrial fibrillation (AFib), a heart condition that often goes undiagnosed in the early stages.
The readings of the Apple Watch can be accessed through Health App on the iPhone and can be shared as pdf to concerned physicians.
- Fall Detection
Apple watch is built with a next-generation accelerometer and gyroscope that detects hard fall. Fall detection has proved to be a very helpful feature for elderly people, remote health monitoring, and in general for athletes.
When an Apple watch detects a fall, it displays a pop-up notification asking whether you are okay. If it does not detect any activity for one minute, the apple watch automatically places emergency calls with the user’s emergency contacts.
- Track sleep cycle
When you wear the Apple Watch to bed, it can track your sleep cycle. The watch can also measure your respiratory rates while you sleep. As a result, the sleep tracking feature helps in revealing sleep patterns and detecting sleep apnea.
Its sleep tracking feature is a little inconsistent and requires improvement.
- Measure blood oxygen levels
Apple watch series 7 can measure your blood glucose levels and help you understand if enough oxygen is reaching your brain. It tracks the blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) in the background with the built-in oximeter and lets you know your blood oxygen levels.
- Protect your hearing
Apple Watch can measure the noise in your surroundings with the Noise App. It detects loud noise and notifies you about the risk of hearing loss. The feature helps you track whether you have been in a noisy environment for too long.
- Track menstrual cycle
With its latest version, the Apple Watch can now track the menstrual cycle for women. They can enter the readings directly through the watch. Menstrual cycle data can be accessed through the Health App on iPhone. It helps women track fertility windows, irregular cycles, and a lot more.
- Activity and fitness tracking
Apple Watch is known for its accuracy in fitness tracking. It also tracks the amount of physical activity you perform during the day. The activity tracking feature tracks everything from your workouts, cycling, walking speed, step length, and a lot more.
It also measures the number of times you stand up and notifies you if you have sat for too long. Apple Watch also tracks aerobic fitness.
- Detect handwashing
The apple watch can also track your handwashing habits. It automatically detects when your hands are under running water and sets a timer of 20 secs. The feature also notifies you if you haven’t washed your hands for too long.
Conclusion
Apple has incorporated and is continuously incorporating health monitoring features in its smartwatch. It plans to add a body temperature sensor in its 2022 update and a blood-glucose sensor in its future updates.
Apple wants to foray into the healthcare sector by enabling people to take proactive care of themselves and their families. The rate at which Apple is updating its smartwatch, a smartwatch may become a medical device soon.
For now, the Apple Watch is not a medical device, and it must not be a replacement for your doctor. The device cannot diagnose you, nor can it take accurate measurements as medical tests and scans.
Apple watch must be considered as a device that helps you monitor your health and reach out to a doctor before your health takes a serious detour.
