Hello, I have a S-ICD and I would love to have the EKG features of the Apple watch 4. I looked into the Kardia Band and it said not to use if you have a pacemaker or defibrillator. So I am wondering if the Apple watch 4 is ok to use with these devices.
Ask your cardiologist.
Hey Branta do you work for apple? I believe MTX'S main concern about the Apple Watch 4 is its's compatibility with pacemakers & ICD's. Previous apple watches & many bluetooth devices emit strong electromagnetic waves that can interfere with the overall function of pacemakers. I agree you should definitely consult with your cardiologist about using the watch, although apple should inform there consumers with cardiac complications about safely using there product with they're health condition.
Your cardiologist has access to resources which are not available to the general public. Your cardiologist knows how your medical devices work. My original advice to ask your cardiologist stands unchanged, and I will not be pressured into unqualified speculation beyond published data.
For your information I don't work for Apple. I'm another user like you, sharing knowledge and experience to help others. In my day job I work a fair bit with communications and radio equipment, so I have a reasonable experience of the way RF interference can cause surprise interactions in unrelated equipment.
Appropriate information about medical devices is published by Apple in documents like https://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/apple-watch-series4-info.pdf (which looks like content for the insert that ships with the watch) and the product user manuals and guides also freely available on line. That is as far as Apple can go in general published information, and it may be there are constraints or specific text required by regulators. After that it would need a case by case analysis of individual equipment, by relevant qualified professionals, even down to specific hardware variations and configuration. There are certainly hundreds, probably thousands of different medical devices in use around the world and they may all react differently to personal electronic devices.
I have an AICD and was wondering the same thing too. The “manual” for the Watch only refers to the magnets and not electrical impulses as per scales and TINS devices which can interfere with the programming of the medical device. Looking over at the demonstration from the Apple event, in my opinion, it appears that the Watch is not sending out a signal but receiving the electrical inpulses from the heart. When we do ECGs, the electrodes that are attached all over our chest and legs are receiving the signals from the heart, and not transmitting, otherwise we would not be able to have ECGs done. I think if this device was not suitable to be used by persons with AICDs or pacemakers, Apple would have clearly printed it on the box and made a note of it at the launch. They would be looking at a class action law suit for misleading a large percentage of people that are buying the Watch for that purpose. Here is a link to that part of the presentation for reference. Apple Watch Series 4 with ECG sensor | Apple Launch Event - YouTube
I have had an Apple Watch since it first came out. I also have an Apple Watch Series 3 and Series 4. The Series 3 saved my life, I had a heart attach in September 2017 and had 2 stints put in. However, I waited to long to seek out help (waited 12 hours before seeking help). I kept having the A Fib alert, because my heart's bpm went over 150 every two or three days, so back to the hospital. I only way I know it, was the Apple Watch, never felt it. After three more visits to the ER, I was diagnosed with a Pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle. The Doctors at the Hospital I was at want to wait 4 months so scar tissue could form. While at home waiting I had an event, so hard it knock me off my feet. I called the Rescue Squad with the Series 3 Apple Watch. When they arrived I had no pulse or blood pressure and off to the hospital yet again. They didn't want to do the surgery, they never had anyone survive. Changed hospitals and was accepted by the Cleveland Clinic, THANK YOU Cleveland Clinic. The Cleveland Clinic did the Open Heart surgery (Thanks to all at the Cleveland Clinic) two days before Thanksgiving 2017. Had a ICD implanted in April 2018 and my Doctors know I have the Apple Watches and have only asked me how I like it. So, I would say, it OK to wear. For I don't think I would still be here, if it wasn't for my Apple Watch. Thank You Apple!
Thanks for asking about the new ECG feature.
Check here for availability in your region: ECG
ECG requires the current non-beta version of iOS and watchOS.
For additional help with the ECG feature on your Apple Watch, take a look at these articles.
Heart rate notifications on your Apple Watch - Apple Support
Taking an ECG with the ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 - Apple Support
If you have any other questions please reach out to our team here: https://apple.co/HeartFeatures. If you believe that you are experiencing a medical emergency, please dial your local emergency services.
Take care
I wish I knew about this sooner! The main reason I got the watch was for the ecg function now I can't use it because I have an icd?! Funny tho, I did mention to my cardiologist I was getting one and he never mentioned not to. In fact, apple was working with UCSF and the watch.
Yesterday I took a few ecg's my heart looks funky. Maybe it's because I wasn't supposed to use it. Found that out while I was exploring the cool functions and immediately was disappointed! So now I'm wearing a very expensive watch that I love but ever so bummed out I can't use the ecg!!!
The question is not does it work but why do they say not to use it? They don’t specify why exactly, what does it do to an icd or pacemaker? Does it mess up the signal? What? They don’t say.
It’s best not to use that function until you find someone who knows all about it. Your cardiologist may not be informed enough.
Nice answer, how does the cardiologist know how the watch works? The question is, did the watch just measures passive or send it active electrical pulses to the body (for example a scale with bodyfat analysis does this).. This Question is important! It could be deathly for people with pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrilator if it's active! Apple need to know and answer it!
How is my cardiologist supposed to keep up on every new piece of technology? I will ask him at my next appointment, but I feel its Apple's responsibility to inform end users. Like the reply in bundasz post about a scale with bodyfat analysis, it says right on the package " Do Not Use with a Pacemaker or ICD". I am asking because Apple is selling this as a health device. They need to do a better job with their marketing, since the people who really want the EKG probably already have health problems like myself.
That’s awesome! Agreed it’s a great tool! I also like to pay attention to my heart since my takotsubo. I’m just disappointed I can’t send an ecg now that I hear it’s not safe with an icd. That’s why I got it in the first place. As far as heart rate, my Fitbit did the trick. I compared them and they seem to be on point together.
I forgot to reply. I tried it again on him and it showed normal. So maybe it does work?
Clearly the body fat scale has been determined to be unsafe with any pacemaker or ICD, or the manufacturer has taken the risk averse route of ”no to everything”.
Your cardiologist doesn’t even know about some of the devices on the market but he knows how to find out when it is necessary. He is probably the only person you will meet who has access to your medical device manufacturer’s designers and other specialists with all the relevant information about your device, its configuration (yes, it’s another software controlled device), and your medical details. One side or the other probably has access to the team who guided Apple’s design and testing of the watch ECG monitor. Between them they are the people with the knowledge and experience to put the full picture together and advise your cardiologist to his professional decision.
Let me put it another way. If you think you are more qualified than your cardiologist to make the decisions, why are you even seeing him?
I tried it on my uncle and it showed Afib. Curious to know if it works. Is that real?
Apple Watch 4 EKG use with ICD or Pacemaker?
