The Apple Watch has had an ECG feature since the Series 4 launched back in 2018, and it can be a really handy tool for people who want to keep even better, more advanced track of their heart health. With the Series 4 and Series 5 of the Apple Watch, you can take a quick ECG in just 30 seconds, and the watch can identify heart issues like Atrial Fibrillation, allowing users to get medical attention in time.
First up, we should have a basic understanding of what an ECG really is. An electrocardiogram (ECG), or EKG in the US is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart to identify problems with heart rhythm, blood flow, electrolyte abnormalities, and more.
How to Set up ECG in Apple Watch
Before you start taking your ECG tests with your Apple Watch, you’re gonna have to enable the feature. This can be done by heading to the Health app on your iPhone.
Taking an ECG with the Apple Watch is really easy. Just launch the ECG app on your watch and touch and hold the Digital Crown with your index finger. It takes 30 seconds for the Apple Watch to take an ECG reading, so be patient, and try not to move.
See and Share Your ECG Reports
After you take an ECG, your Apple Watch will create an ECG report for you and push it to your iPhone. You should receive a notification from the Health app telling you that your report is ready.
- Here, tap on ‘Electrocardiograms (ECG)’.
Ensure Your Heart is Healthy with Apple Watch’s ECG Feature
The Apple Watch’s ECG feature is great to get a basic idea of your heart health with ECG and things like Heart Rate Recovery. It can identify problems with your heart’s beating rhythm early and help you get medical attention on time. However, keep in mind that the Apple Watch is not a replacement for proper medical equipment and the ECG feature isn’t nearly as advanced as the ECGs you would find in a hospital. If you are experiencing heart issues, see a doctor, and don’t just depend on the Apple Watch to identify any problems.
