Subj : A key Apple Watch health feature just got a landmark stamp of app
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Fri May 03 2024 11:15:05

A key Apple Watch health feature just got a landmark stamp of approval

Date:
Fri, 03 May 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Description:
Regulators in the US say the atrial fibrillation history feature can be used 
to assess other devices.

FULL STORY
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Since the Apple Watch first appeared in 2015  and was initially sold more 
like a fashion accessory  its reputation as a seriously capable health and 
fitness tracker has grown and grown. And now it has a new seal of approval 
from regulators in the US. 

As reported by MyHealthyApple (via MacRumors ), the US Food and Drug 
Administration (FDA) has qualified the Apple Watch's atrial fibrillation (or 
AFib) history feature as an MDDT  or a Medical Device Development Tool. 

That's a lot of acronyms to keep track of, but essentially it means the AFib 
readings on an Apple Watch 4 or later are able to be used to verify other 
medical devices in clinical trials. It's a major endorsement of the accuracy 
on board Apple's wearables. 

The FDA notes this is the first digital health technology to be approved for 
MDDT use. Previously, the FDA has already given the thumbs up to AFib history 
on the Apple Watch, which means Apple is able to advertise the wearables as 
having this feature  though it's not at the level where it can replace a 
proper medical assessment. Regular upgrades The Apple Watch 4 introduced AFib 
monitoring (Image credit: Future) 

Monitoring atrial fibrillation  irregular heart rhythms, essentially  is a 
feature intended for those who have already been diagnosed with the condition 
and are aged 22 or older, giving them a non-invasive way of checking the 
frequency of AFib signs. 

Year on year, the Apple Watch has consistently added new health and fitness 
features, whether that's extra hardware sensors or additions to the software 
features (keep an eye out for watchOS 11 in June). Having the weight of FDA 
support behind it certainly helps in marketing the wearable as a reliable and 
trustworthy tracker. 

There have been bumps along the way though: Apple is in an ongoing dispute 
over blood oxygen tracking patents, which briefly led to the Apple Watch 9 
and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 being pulled from sale in the United States. 

How that's going to affect the Apple Watch 10 remains to be seen. The device 
should be showing up around September time, and we've heard rumors about 
display and battery life upgrades , as well as some pretty significant design 
changes . You might also like Please don't make this Apple Watch mistake 
These are the best Apple Watches you can buy The Apple Watch Ultra 3 rumors 
have started



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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/smartwatches/a-key-apple-watch-health
-feature-just-got-a-landmark-stamp-of-approval


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