There have been numerous instances where the Apple Watch has been credited with saving lives, and now another story has emerged. This time, Rachel Manalo attributes the device with not only saving her life but also that of her unborn child. The watch’s ECG (electrocardiogram) function played a crucial role in alerting her to a potential health issue.
According to a report from ABC News San Diego, Manalo was 18 weeks pregnant when she began experiencing a persistent racing heart. The symptoms lasted for weeks, prompting her to use her Apple Watch’s ECG feature to assess her heart’s electrical activity. Describing the experience, she said, “I felt exhausted and short of breath. So I decided to use the ECG function on my Apple Watch. You place your finger on the crown, and you need to keep your arm still.”
The results were unsettling, as the ECG returned an “inconclusive” reading, indicating her heart rate had spiked to 150 beats per minute for over 40 minutes. Concerned by the reading, the app advised her to seek medical attention, which led to her doctor diagnosing her with ventricular tachycardia. This condition, in which the lower chambers of the heart malfunction, reduces the oxygen level in the blood and can lead to serious complications.
Dr. Nguyen, who treated Manalo, explained, “If untreated, this kind of heart issue can cause a heart attack, and her pregnancy added another layer of risk. When I asked about when she first noticed her irregular heart rate, she said, ‘My Apple Watch told me.’”
Although the Apple Watch is no substitute for professional medical care, it can serve as a valuable tool in urging users to consult doctors when irregularities are detected. Dr. Nguyen also emphasized that the data gathered from health tracking devices like the Apple Watch is beneficial for medical professionals.
Manalo followed her doctor’s advice, and both she and her baby remained healthy throughout the rest of her pregnancy. The ECG function that played a key role in this scenario is available on the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer models, though it is not included in the SE versions.
