Just earlier today, Tim Cook talked up Apple’s health products, saying the company focuses on a lot more than just profit. Now, CNBC reports Apple is working with Stanford and American Well to test using Apple Watch to detect heart problems…
The report explains Apple is working with a group of clinicians at Stanford, as well as telemedicine company American Well, on the project. Apple wants to use Apple Watch’s heart rate sensor to detect abnormal heart rhythms.
Of course, abnormal heart rhythms aren’t always problematic. Apple hopes that the detection and warning from Apple Watch, however, would prompt users to get checked out. For instance, one condition known as atrial fibrillation can show no external symptoms but carry a risk of blood clots, strokes, and more.
American Well wouldn’t comment specifically on the Apple partnership, but its CEO did say that the company is working closely with wearable makers because if a problem is detected, “the best route forward is to put a health care professional out in front.”
This is just the latest report in a recent wave of information about Apple’s health efforts. A report said earlier this year that Apple is working on a “breakthrough” diabetes treatment, while it was even reported that Tim Cook was testing the accessory himself. A separate report said that Apple is working to turn the iPhone into a “one-stop shop” for medical information, such as blood information and patent history.
iOS 11 and watchOS 4 include a host of new Health features, including diabetes management, insulin delivery, and more. While Apple still hasn’t fully announced all of its health goals, Tim Cook talked up Apple’s heart rate monitoring just earlier today:
Maybe we’ll hear more about these goals tomorrow at Apple’s special event.
And that spurred them to go to the doctor and say, ‘Look at my heart rate data. Is something wrong?’ And a not-insignificant number have found out if they hadn’t come into the doctor they would have died.
