Apple Watch reportedly saves woman's life; warns her of heart issue
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On numerous occasions, Apple Watch has proven to be a lifesaver. There have been numerous instances where it has prevented fatalities by identifying health anomalies in users through the use of sensors that monitor things like heart rate and ECG. In one instance, a woman in the UK claimed that her life was saved by the Apple Watch when it warned her of an undiagnosed cardiac issue.
Elaine Thompson, 59, reportedly started using a device to track her health in 2022 after experiencing seizures. The watch recently alerted Mrs Thompson to a problem after detecting something amiss with her heart rhythm. She soon saw a cardiologist, who prescribed a heart monitor after learning that she had experienced a 19-second sleep flatline. This alert was sent to the hospital, NDTV reported.
After being transported to the hospital, Mrs Thompson's heart was found to have an atrioventricular block, which causes it to beat more slowly and irregularly. It is a serious disorder that occasionally qualifies as a medical emergency, according to the NHS.
The issue was then treated by installing a pacemaker.
"My daughter rang me and told me I needed to go into hospital urgently and the doctors were trying to get hold of me. I went in and they told me that my results showed I'd flatlined for 19 seconds. They told me it was an electrical fault with my heart and that I needed to be fitted with a pacemaker. I had it done the next day and now I have it for life. But it's a relief I went to get it looked at, otherwise, I might be dead," the 59-year-old told the Independent.
The woman now claims that she became aware of the problem because of her Apple Watch.
"It saved my life. If I hadn't had the alert I wouldn't have brought it up with the doctor. Now I wear the Apple Watch all the time. It was so scary knowing I could have died. I flatlined for 19 seconds. I might not have woken up," she added.
The Apple Watch recently assisted a 16-year-old skier in receiving prompt medical attention by detecting low blood oxygen saturation in his body. Notably, while being worn on the wrist, the watch's blood oxygen sensor can measure the amount of oxygen in the user's blood.