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Massive Study Finds Apple Watch Can Detect Undiagnosed Heart Rhythm Problems (engadget.com)

Posted by EditorDavid on from the we-got-the-beat dept.

An anonymous reader quotes Engadget: Researchers from Stanford University's School of Medicine presented results from a giant study sponsored by Apple Inc. that showed the Apple Watch can sometimes spot patients with undiagnosed heart-rhythm problems, without producing large numbers of false alarms. The Apple-sponsored trial enrolled 419,297 people and was one of the largest heart-screening studies ever.

The study, details of which are being presented today at the American College of Cardiology conference in New Orleans, used the watch's sensors to detect possible atrial fibrillation... People who have atrial fibrillation are at risk of blood clots and strokes. In the U.S., it causes 750,000 hospitalizations a year and contributes to 130,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because it doesn't always produce outward symptoms, it can go undiagnosed. According to results presented Saturday, about 0.5 percent of patients in the study -- or almost 2,100 people -- received notices from their watch indicating that they might have a heart-rhythm problem. That relatively low number showed that the technology wasn't inundating people with worrisome alerts.
People receiving a notification were asked to then wear an ECG (electrocardiography) patch, according to the Verge, adding that Stanford reports "84 percent of the time, participants who received irregular pulse notifications were found to be in atrial fibrillation at the time of the notification."

The dean of Stanford's medical school says the study "opens the door to further research into wearable technologies and how they might be used to prevent disease before it strikes."

67 comments

  1. "Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by QuietLagoon · · Score: -1, Troll

    Key phrases in the article. Looks more like damning with faint praise. Why only "sometimes"? For something that is worn as much as an Apple Watch, it should "nearly always" be able to spot a problem.

    1. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by UnknowingFool · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Because it’s not a medical device that is designed and guaranteed to spot that specific set of problems. So is your objection that the study is being accurate in its reporting?

      --
      Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
    2. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by MikeMo · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Maybe because it's just a watch and wasn't designed to do this? I think the point of the research is to guide the development of better detection. Things always improve over time, right? From TFA:

      “The study is an important first step in figuring out how can we use these technologies in a way that’s evidence based,”

      and

      “Atrial fibrillation is just the beginning, as this study opens the door to further research into wearable technologies and how they might be used to prevent disease before it strikes”.

      As for right now, even getting notification "sometimes" is better than "never".

    3. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      This sounds like an incredible invasion of privacy. If the device was not designed to do this, and I didn't purchase it to do this, why is it doing this?

    4. Re: "Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Simple question but probably painfully difficult to get an answer.

    5. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by Anubis+IV · · Score: 4, Informative

      This sounds like an incredible invasion of privacy. If the device was not designed to do this, and I didn't purchase it to do this, why is it doing this?

      Perhaps because these people specifically volunteered for this study? Apple announced it from the stage of a keynote a year or two back and opened it up to the public that same day. Participants had to fill out medical forms and the usual medical waivers before they’d be a part of the study, so this isn’t a case of yet another big company harvesting data from unaware users like you’re trying to paint it.

    6. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by UnknowingFool · · Score: 3, Informative

      That’s not what he’s saying. The Apple Watch has a heartbeat monitor. As a non-medical device, it probably can measure heartbeats within reasonable accuracy for consumers. When judged to medical device standards, it might not be as good. What the study says is that if you allow it to record data over a long period of time, it might be able to spot certain health problems. But don’t use its data alone before scheduling surgeries. The function is there only to alert to possible problems that more extensive medical tests can verify.

      --
      Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
    7. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by MikeMo · · Score: 2

      The people in this study volunteered. If you're not in a study, the data never leaves your watch and phone.

    8. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by Dixie_Flatline · · Score: 2

      First of all, the feature can't be triggered accidentally. You actually have to actively participate in this measurement. So any privacy concerns are pretty unfounded.

      Secondly, it's designed to be a useful tool, but its sole purpose is not to detect irregular heart rhythms. It's something Apple thought they could do that would make the lives of some people better, so they did it. But that doesn't mean it's an actual medical-grade device. It's just good enough to tell you to contact your doctor so they can hook you up to a single-purpose medical-grade system (which I'm sure also has its own margin of error).

    9. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Relax, sport. You can enable or disable the irregular rhythm detection, it 's your choice, your control.

    10. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by Applehu+Akbar · · Score: 1

      This sounds like an incredible invasion of privacy. If the device was not designed to do this, and I didn't purchase it to do this, why is it doing this?

      Watch for the EU to define a new Right To Die of Undiagnosed Heart Trouble. Brussels could then fine Apple a jillion kajilllion brazillion Euro for violating it.

    11. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by Anubis+IV · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Key phrases in the article. Looks more like damning with faint praise. Why only "sometimes"? For something that is worn as much as an Apple Watch, it should "nearly always" be able to spot a problem.

      You REALLY don’t like Apple, do you? Because you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel to try and come up with anything against this.

      Being able to cheaply (by medical standards) and passively detect a previously undiagnosed, major medical issue in 0.5% of participants with a false positive rate of 16% or less using a device that people are actually interested in regularly wearing (i.e. unlike most medical devices) is simply incredible. Doctors have no idea how prevalent some of these ailments actually are, since they tend not to see them until major symptoms start to present themselves or the person is already in a hospital setting for some other condition. If they’re able to start getting good data about how often and to whom these things happen in the population and how the symptoms develop across a wide number of people, they can start to understand the risk factors and develop better treatment plans.

      This is a good thing, but you’re right, it should be better.

      Thankfully, it already is. This study was started quite awhile ago, so it only included Series 3 and earlier Apple Watches. Notably, it didn’t include the Series 4 watches that came out later with significantly better sensors and the ability to conduct ECGs on the spot, so things are already much better, just like you wanted.

    12. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So the magical Apple device can not just detect heart rate from roll of toilet paper and bananas, but also find heart rhythm problems on people? What next? It solves unified theory of everything?

    13. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by QuietLagoon · · Score: 0

      ...Because it’s not a medical device...

      Then why is Apple sponsoring studies like this one, which give the implication it might be?

    14. Re: "Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by Cmdln+Daco · · Score: 1

      Medical devices generally do not come with guaranteed results.

    15. Re: "Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Probably because the medical profession doesn't treat the problem. Not sexy enough I guess.

    16. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      What we need is an open standard for this data. I should be able to buy any heart rate monitor and have it report data back, with manufacturers able to certify devices to agreed standards.

      There isn't anything particularly special about the Apple Watch heart rate monitor, other than the price tag. If we can make this more affordable and accessible (i.e. no Apple lock-in) it could be a great tool that a lot of people could benefit from.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    17. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah. The EU should go back to just being on the side of large corporations like a normal government. THis sticking up for citizens and consumers thing is getting old.

    18. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by SvnLyrBrto · · Score: 2

      Well, if you'd actually bothered to read the article, or any of the articles about the study when it launched, or any of the materiel and disclosures from the study itself; or if you'd bothered to educate yourself in any way whatsoever, you'd know that you had to volunteer and opt in by:

      1) Downloading a separate app for the study
      2) Read the agreement about what data is collected and how it is used
      3) Explicitly agree to said agreement
      4) Wait to be accepted into the study
      5) Be notified that you were accepted and that data sharing would begin
      6) Remain in the study by keeping the app installed throughout

      But hey... Don't let any little thing like facts get in the way of your "Apple is teh satan" narrative. Rant on.

      --
      Imagine all the people...
    19. Re: "Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Don't kid yourself, the heart rate monitor and other sensors being put in the Apple Watch are better than much of what's going into other devices, though they certainly aren't limited to Apple devices. The software however is the key though more than many of the sensors, that is something that Apple is putting a lot of effort into, as well as expense.

      The funny thing is people especially android fanboys like to mock Apple, and honestly with good reason sometimes.

      In many ways for most people the stuff being added isn't sexy or neat as say a folding screen. However consider this, the Apple Watch 4 has fall detection out of the box and has been credited with saving several people. While at $400 am Apple Watch isn't cheap, a stand alone fall monitor will run someone $20 a month, 2 years of that will be $480 well more than the Apple Watch. None of the medical stuff on the watch require a subscription.

      Really of all the wearable items, the Apple Watch 4 is really the first that I have seen where it's not just an accessory or toy, and it will hopefully lead to other devices not just Apple that have real benefit medically, which is an area with tons of opportunity.

    20. Re: "Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because you signed up to join a study perhaps...

    21. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by UnknowingFool · · Score: 1

      It could be used to spot problems; however, has Garmin or Pebble or any other consumer device like this been used like this before? I would guess not as the Smart Watch is a new class of consumer devices.

      --
      Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
    22. Re: "Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by UnknowingFool · · Score: 1

      No they are guaranteed to give test results not results of prognoses. A heartbeat monitor will be guaranteed to measure every heartbeat of a patient for months, years without failing.

      --
      Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
    23. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're a serious douchebag. You can't accept a technology because of who made it? Go fuck yourself with a steak knife, seriously. You're a big fucking asshole.

    24. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by nospam007 · · Score: 1

      "Then why is Apple sponsoring studies like this one, which give the implication it might be?"

      Yes, let's spend a few millions of taxpayer money and let the scientists buy a couple of thousand Apple watches themselves just for the fun of doing a test.

    25. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by UnknowingFool · · Score: 1

      From what I know many smart watches have similar functionality. Any other company sponsoring a study like this should be held to same interest and skepticism. If properly implemented, smart watches could provide additional benefits as health monitors.

      --
      Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
    26. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by GrahamWright1 · · Score: 1

      Not sure if you are being sarcastic or not, but this survey was an opt-in survey with end users who already owned their own Apple Watch. It's great that 2000 people now have the option of following up with their health care provider's to see if it's a significant issue or not. Before this survey was announced I asked my family doctor about a couple of warning from my AW about low heart rate, and after a 48 hour heart monitor they did identify a problem. Without the AW I would never have known there might have been a problem, and certainly never raised the issue with my doctor. Overall I think the AW is a terrific piece of hardware, and if it helps *any* people identify potential health issues then it's money well spent.

    27. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because apple loves to lie and make themselves look more important then they are.

    28. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by UnknowingFool · · Score: 1

      Apple sponsored the stddy. They did not do the study. You are free competing study but I doubt you would.

      --
      Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
    29. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Right, we should allow evil corporations like apple to run things.

    30. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No but the blind apple faithful will claim it does,

    31. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by tsa · · Score: 1

      And cardiologists will soon be overloaded with work because many people have irregular heartbeats and in only a few of them this is problematic.

      --

      -- Cheers!

    32. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by tsa · · Score: 1

      Jealous that your government doesn’t give a shit about you?

      --

      -- Cheers!

    33. Re: "Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by tigersha · · Score: 1

      I have an actual arrythmia. I am probably alive cause my wife happens to be a doctor, saw the symptoms, had a stethoscope with her and told me to get my ass to the expert with an ECG RIGHT NOW. And the episode repeated with me being directly plugged into the ethernet for three weeks.

      I would have volunteered any day of the week, and I already have a Kardia. Having the thing permanently attached would be a godsend.

      And Apple did not breach privacy laws, nothing was done without anybodyâ(TM)s consent.

      If you think it is Ok to withhold medical data from medical professionals because bla bla privacy bla bla I will laugh at you when you lie dying in the street and yell at the emergency responder that he should leave you heart alone, the rythm stays there.

      --
      The dangers of excessive individualism are nothing compared to the oppressiveness of excessive collectivism
    34. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by tlhIngan · · Score: 1

      And cardiologists will soon be overloaded with work because many people have irregular heartbeats and in only a few of them this is problematic.

      That assumes those with problematic irregular heartbeats will discover the problem independently, before it's too late to monitor and potentially correct.

      And it opens the opportunity to do MORE research in discovering what is a "safe" irregular heartbeat and what is going to be problematic.

      Atrial Fibrillation has a rather distinct signature on an ECG so it's not as if the watch will see "irregular heartbeat, see doctor!" it will try to figure out if it's potentially something serious.

    35. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by Dixie_Flatline · · Score: 1

      Yes, it's so much better to let people that wouldn't know that they have an irregular heartbeat die. I'm sure the cardiologists aren't going to be too concerned with the uptick in appointments—there doesn't appear to be a problem with false alarms. Like, that's in the first couple of lines of the *summary*.

    36. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by tsa · · Score: 1

      But you as an old and grey slashdot visitor should know that nobody reads the articles ;).

      --

      -- Cheers!

    37. Re:"Sponsored by Apple" "can sometimes spot" by QuietLagoon · · Score: 1

      Troll? Wow, the Apple fan-boi mods have even thinner skin than the Microsoft fan-boi mods. Who wudda thunk?

  2. Great news, everyone! by DontBeAMoran · · Score: -1

    If you're rich, you can better protect yourself!
    Everyone else - fuck you.

    Signed, Apple.

    --
    #DeleteFacebook
    1. Re: Great news, everyone! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Also, you can't just buy an Apple Watch. You have to buy into their entire ecosystem since it can only work with an iPhone. And an iPhone can only work with a Macbook...

    2. Re: Great news, everyone! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      And an iPhone can only work with a Macbook...

       
      or windows, or no computer at all....

    3. Re:Great news, everyone! by Eponymous+Coward · · Score: 1

      You have this exactly backwards. Apple is making this technology available to more people, not fewer.

      If you don't like Apple, you can always buy a device from Omron or some other manufacturer. It's way more expensive than an Apple Watch and doesn't do as much. It will do a better job of monitoring your heart though.

    4. Re:Great news, everyone! by Anubis+IV · · Score: 1

      If you're rich, you can better protect yourself!

      You started that sentence off accurately, but finished it incorrectly. It should have finished with, “and if you’re not, there’s now something reasonably accurate that you can pick up for cheap!” Apple Watches are only expensive until you compare them to virtually anything in the medical device market. Devices like these make pervasive diagnostics SIGNIFICANTLY more affordable.

    5. Re:Great news, everyone! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So you finally admit that Android is a shitty OS only for poor people.

      Golf clap.

    6. Re:Great news, everyone! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Being poor is one of the worst things you can do for your life expectancy. Worse than smoking.

      Poverty brings with it a witches brew of danger compared to their wealthier peers. Statistically a poor person has: a worse diet, cars which are less safe, less access to healthcare, less recreation, higher exposure to pollution, on and on.

      Good luck.

    7. Re: Great news, everyone! by zieroh · · Score: 2

      And an iPhone can only work with a Macbook...

      This is completely and utterly false.

      --
      People who say "sheeple" have about as much sophistication as an AOL user, and in fact are probably actually AOL users.
  3. The case of the Heart Rhythm Problems by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Being the price you paid for the tech.

    1. Re: The case of the Heart Rhythm Problems by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Clearly the price is right for many

  4. THIS IS A FUCKING AD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

    FUCK OUTTA HERE

  5. This will make me rich by bobstreo · · Score: 1

    Please download my fake defibrillator app. $12.88.

    ,
    And just in time for April 1st, fake heart condition popup warnings that tell you to go to the closest emergency room immediately, spoofing your GPS connection to make you drive in circles.

    Yay technology.

  6. Great by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now can it help me find a health insurance program that'll actually let me do something about it?

    1. Re: Great by Cmdln+Daco · · Score: 1

      Health Insurers will devise MITM interception malware to assure they never sell you coverage.

  7. Why not ask the summary writer? by SuperKendall · · Score: 1

    Key phrases in the article. Looks more like damning with faint praise. Why only "sometimes"?

    Gee, why not ask whoever wrote the summary? Because the article ITSELF has the title:

    Stanford study finds Apple Watch can detect irregular heart rhythms

    That's not very faint at all, and "sometimes" never appears in the article.

    The problem is, whoever added "sometimes" to the summary didn't understand what the 84% was about...

    For something that is worn as much as an Apple Watch, it should "nearly always" be able to spot a problem.

    I think you need to read the actual article; it may well have "nearly always" spotted afib conditions. All we DO know from the study is that 84% of detected cases were valid, with the remaining 16% being false positives - we have no idea if it missed any or not. But it alerted more than 100% of the time in known valid cases. That is "nearly always +" as It were, with the key thing to get right not being to alert more often, but actually less.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  8. review the channel 11 new article fucker by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hello, My name is (well fuck I guess it dont matter)
    As you can see by the content I provide, I am a worthless Tool. My self and others here at this publication, obviously suck msmash's cock for coke on a daily basis. its a shame how this place has gone to SHIT. The article states CLEARLY "Not intended to to Diagnose issues, as further analysis has to be conducted." If it's that good, why is it not accepted, or endorsed by ANY MEDICAL association, (ama), (ada), etc... That because YOUR TITLE IS BULLSHIT, YOU FUCKING COCKSUCKING ASSHOLE. Your comments are life affecting and unreasonable, being that your head is so fucking far up your ass, or up msmash's ass, i mean with an office of fuck-tards, how the hell can you quantify anything? its too bad that the act of sucking so much poisoned cock has really affected your brain

  9. vape places find their product better than smoking by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Right, so
    Apple sponsors a study, of course we all know how those results are gunna come out. you fucking twit, I wish you and or this place could be sued for FALSE/Misleading Medical statements. your article is WRONG, you sir are ignorant. YOUR PUBLICATION IS PROMOTING FALSE OR MISLEADING COMMENTS ABOUT A LIFE THREATENING CONDITION, YOU SHOULD BE SHOT. So many people I know have passed from complications due to A-fib. YOUR A FAGGOT FUCKER FOR PROMOTING THIS INCOMPLETE SHIT.IF THIS IS SUCH A GAME CHANGING TECH, WHY IS IT NOT ENDORSED BY ANY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION? WHY ARE THEY NOT BEING HANDED OUT @ HOSPITALS? Not only have you exposed your ignorance, but to the world you and this publication clearly demonstrate how much worthless peices of shit you all are.
    this publication has gone to crap (srry cmdr. Taco)

  10. There are very real apps that do help by SuperKendall · · Score: 1

    Probably a great time there are in fact real CPR apps that help.

    One of the apps alerts people nearby that know CPR an event is happening, so you get quicker response.

    There are also educational apps that help you learn CPR, better than nothing if you are the only one there. Although I do not know which apps do this, it also seems like CPR apps could help with timing of the presses and breathing assist you are supposed to be doing.

    So don't make too light of apps that can help someone having an attack...

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  11. How can it tell it's undiagnosed? by OldMugwump · · Score: 1

    I suppose it could look up your medical records online, but HIPAA....

    --
    "Shoot, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff."
    1. Re:How can it tell it's undiagnosed? by tomhath · · Score: 1

      It's easy for you ti give consent so HIPAA is not an issue. The problem with looking up your medical record is that looking up medical records is darn near impossible until they become standardized (and don't hold your breath for that or your watch will set off another alarm)

  12. would have to agree by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yea, I saw the article. /. is misrepresenting the facts. DONT BLAM ENGADEGT (WHAT EVER) YOUR REPOSTING/RE-DISTRIBUTING IT.
    THE ARTICLE CLEARLY STATES THAT IT IS NOT CONCLUSIVE. The fact that it's sponsored by APPLE is an indicator that its fucked.
    I agree with the above comments, statements like this truly expose the "fuck-tard-ness" if this this place and what it has become.
    It saddens me and Im sure others when we see our beloved go down the shitter..
    YOU GUYS ALL SUCK, and probabally on each other every opportunity you get.
    Right?
    News at 11??

  13. false, misleading, fake news, CLICK BAIT by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 17, 2019 @12:58PM

    Fucking stupid.
    All dumb
    this is false, misleading nor is it endorsed BY ANY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.
    Editor Dumbfuck, Capt. Obvious, Dudley-du-dipshit

  14. What's missing... by ylleKnaD · · Score: 0

    What is missing from what I have read about this study is what is the false negative rate?

    Having a problem and it not being detected leads to a false sense of security. "My watch says I'm OK, so I don't need to see a Doctor". I have an Apple Watch 4, and Apple is very clear it is not a medical device and to seek medical services if you suspect you have a problem. I bet that advice is widely ignored.

  15. You're a HUUUUUGE Bitch Ken Doll by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    God you're boringly gay AF, kill yourself.

  16. Ken Doll you are the world's most deserving incel by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Nobody would ever give you CPR, you need to die ASAP.

  17. Then do it. by Brannon · · Score: 1

    Nobody is stopping you. Apple spent hundreds of millions of dollars to make their own. Obviously you can do much better given your extensive experience as an internet critic.

  18. Truth doesn't matter anymore. by Brannon · · Score: 1

    All that matters is what team you're on.

  19. How does the watch know if its been diagnosed? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Does it have access to all your medical files?

  20. Because it doesn't always produce outward symptoms by cats-paw · · Score: 1

    That's right, you can have AF and not even know it. As someone who had AF (ablation fixed it, for now...), I found that to be absolutely bizarre. I absolutely knew I was in AF without even taking my pulse, and yet nurses and doctors assured me that there were people who wouldn't know they were in AF.

    The fact that the watch can detect this well enough to tell you that you should talk to your doctor about it, is a big deal.

    You really, really don't want a stroke.

    --
    Absolute statements are never true