Apple watch with ECG feature

[Scarlett]

Does anyone have this watch for the ECG feature?  I have AFib.  Two years ago my EP recommended I get it....I am wondering if anyone here has it for that feature and how does it work.  I am feeling more and more off and I would like to monitor it to  see if there is any real concern.  But I also don't want to spend $400 on it.....although it does have a lot of other cool features....

[prairiewindmomma]

Dh has that feature. I have played with it some. It will do an occasional scan or you can prompt it to capture a rhythm. It’s not continuous monitoring like a cardiologist would use with a take home 24 or 48h halter test. It will tell you “abnormal rhythm detected” but I am not sure if you can save it. 
 

[prairiewindmomma]

YouTube has videos on it, fwiw.

[Scarlett]

8 minutes ago, prairiewindmomma said:

Dh has that feature. I have played with it some. It will do an occasional scan or you can prompt it to capture a rhythm. It’s not continuous monitoring like a cardiologist would use with a take home 24 or 48h halter test. It will tell you “abnormal rhythm detected” but I am not sure if you can save it. 
 

I haven't looked in to it closely but my EP told me I could forward the scans to him so I am assuming I can save them.  I would be using it to capture when I feel weird.

[Katy]

I do have one. I only played with that feature once, so I don’t know much about it. I’d watch YouTube if you’re curious. 

[CanaryCass]

1 hour ago, Scarlett said:

Does anyone have this watch for the ECG feature?  I have AFib.  Two years ago my EP recommended I get it....I am wondering if anyone here has it for that feature and how does it work.  I am feeling more and more off and I would like to monitor it to  see if there is any real concern.  But I also don't want to spend $400 on it.....although it does have a lot of other cool features....

I have it. It seems to work well enough, although sometimes you will need to redo it. You can send the reports per scan as PDF to yourself and then your doctor if you wish. 

Another nice feature is if you are at any time worried of falls or losing consciousness the watches have a 911 fall alert, and can tell if you fall down and will call 911. When the fall is detected a count down starts and you can elect not to call 911 by pressing a button on the watch,  but if you aren't awake to do so the watch will contact emergency services for you. 

[ktgrok]

My DH has used it for that purpose. 

Mine does it too, and I have used it a few times to figure out if what I was feeling was something cardiac, or if it was esophogeal stuff. (It was not Afib, turns out). So was nice to be able to check while dealing with the symptoms. (I have a hiatal hernia and history of esophogeal stuff but it was nice to be able to check and know not to worry, it's just my normal stuff causing weird chest feelings)

And although I was hesitant to get an Apple Watch I have to admit, I LOVE the thing. I'm NOT a tech geek. At all. But it truly is really great. I love being able to decline scam phone calls without having to pick up my phone. I LOVE that I can hit an icon and it will "ping" my phone when I can't find it - which is daily. It does a great job of motivating me to be more active - with move, exercise, and stand rings that you close. I can pause my audio book by tapping my wrist. I can use it to add items to my Alexa shopping list, ask Siri a question, etc. 

And the fall feature is great too. 

[Scarlett]

1 hour ago, Holmesschooler said:

I have it. It seems to work well enough, although sometimes you will need to redo it. You can send the reports per scan as PDF to yourself and then your doctor if you wish. 

Another nice feature is if you are at any time worried of falls or losing consciousness the watches have a 911 fall alert, and can tell if you fall down and will call 911. When the fall is detected a count down starts and you can elect not to call 911 by pressing a button on the watch,  but if you aren't awake to do so the watch will contact emergency services for you. 

 

5 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

My DH has used it for that purpose. 

Mine does it too, and I have used it a few times to figure out if what I was feeling was something cardiac, or if it was esophogeal stuff. (It was not Afib, turns out). So was nice to be able to check while dealing with the symptoms. (I have a hiatal hernia and history of esophogeal stuff but it was nice to be able to check and know not to worry, it's just my normal stuff causing weird chest feelings)

And although I was hesitant to get an Apple Watch I have to admit, I LOVE the thing. I'm NOT a tech geek. At all. But it truly is really great. I love being able to decline scam phone calls without having to pick up my phone. I LOVE that I can hit an icon and it will "ping" my phone when I can't find it - which is daily. It does a great job of motivating me to be more active - with move, exercise, and stand rings that you close. I can pause my audio book by tapping my wrist. I can use it to add items to my Alexa shopping list, ask Siri a question, etc. 

And the fall feature is great too. 

You two talked me into it!  Which model do you have?  I am getting the 6 model.

 

[ktgrok]

Just now, Scarlett said:

 

You two talked me into it!  Which model do you have?  I am getting the 6 model.

 

Pretty sure that is what I have. We got it through Tmobile, so you just have a monthly payment, which worked for us. 

[Scarlett]

Just now, ktgrok said:

Pretty sure that is what I have. We got it through Tmobile, so you just have a monthly payment, which worked for us. 

Well, we just both got new phones so we have monthly payments on those.....So I want to pay cash for this and I think I can keep the price to $400 if I get the less expensive band and frame.  I can always get different bands later I guess.

[ktgrok]

Just now, Scarlett said:

Well, we just both got new phones so we have monthly payments on those.....So I want to pay cash for this and I think I can keep the price to $400 if I get the less expensive band and frame.  I can always get different bands later I guess.

Makes sense - we had just finished paying off my phone, so it was good timing to add this in as a payment. 

[Scarlett]

I just ordered it!  I should have it for about a week be before my next EP visit.  Super excited!  

[Resilient]

By the way--the SE sells for less but does not have the ECG and oximeter that the 6 has.  It has everything else, including "fallen and can't get up."

I got the SE but my friend got the 6 because she has that low blood pressure/fainting thing, and the oximeter alerts her to 'danger zone." 

I held out for a long time but I am glad I got it.  the SE alerts me to heart arhythmia and tracks heart rates, and I can send that to my MD for tracking purposes.  

[Scarlett]

5 minutes ago, Resilient said:

By the way--the SE sells for less but does not have the ECG and oximeter that the 6 has.  It has everything else, including "fallen and can't get up."

I got the SE but my friend got the 6 because she has that low blood pressure/fainting thing, and the oximeter alerts her to 'danger zone." 

I held out for a long time but I am glad I got it.  the SE alerts me to heart arhythmia and tracks heart rates, and I can send that to my MD for tracking purposes.  

Yes I read all about the SE and I thought it sounded great all the way up to it doesn't do the ECG....and that is the very thing I need it for.  I am sure most people don't though and it would be a great option for most people.

[Resilient]

2 hours ago, Scarlett said:

Yes I read all about the SE and I thought it sounded great all the way up to it doesn't do the ECG....and that is the very thing I need it for.  I am sure most people don't though and it would be a great option for most people.

I just wanted to let people know that the SE also does all the rest...just not those two features.  I thought really hard about it, and I suppose my next one will have those features.  

Edited June 8, 2021 by Resilient

[LucyStoner]

I have the 3 and my husband has the SE. He would like to upgrade for the ECG thing (he’s been concerned about heart stuff because both his dad and grandfather had heart issues in their 40s and early 50s).  I am thinking about doing it for his birthday and then snagging his SE and passing the 3 to our son (who isn’t a very diligent watch wearer).  I hope you like yours.  Looking at prices, I am seeing them for under $400 which was not the case when my husband opted for the SE.  

I resisted smart watches for a long time but the heart rate tracking and the reminders on my wrist is absolutely fantastic.  

Edited June 9, 2021 by LucyStoner

[Scarlett]

2 minutes ago, LucyStoner said:

My have the 3 and my husband has the SE. He would like to upgrade for the ECG thing (he’s been concerned about heart stuff because both his dad and grandfather had heart issues in their 40s and early 50s).  I am thinking about doing it for his birthday and then snagging his SE and passing the 3 to our son (who isn’t a very diligent watch wearer).  I hope you like yours.  Looking at prices, I am seeing them for under $400 which was not the case when my husband opted for the SE.  

I resisted smart watches for a long time but the heart rate tracking and the reminders on my wrist is absolutely fantastic.  

Same here.  I have now totally justified the 'need' for it, but I am so excited by the fun part of it.

 

[Indigo Blue]

Yes, you have a really good reason to get it! The 5 and up have the “always on” face. That’s really nice. I have the 3.  You have to raise your wrist toward your face to activate the face on my model.
 

You will really love it! Which color did you get?

Edited June 9, 2021 by Indigo Blue

[Scarlett]

37 minutes ago, Indigo Blue said:

Yes, you have a really good reason to get it! The 5 and up have the “always on” face. That’s really nice. I have the 3.  You have to raise your wrist toward your face to activate the face on my model.
 

You will really love it! Which color did you get?

 Silver Aluminum Case with Tomales Blue Solo Loop 

[fraidycat]

On 6/8/2021 at 3:34 PM, Resilient said:

I just wanted to let people know that the SE also does all the rest...just not those two features.  I thought really hard about it, and I suppose my next one will have those features.  

I just got the SE for Mother's Day. I still barely know how to use it. LOL I'm sure it's way more functional than what I use it for. I might start a spin-off to get some ideas.

[Indigo Blue]

I don’t know if the newer ones come with a pedometer now, but mine did not. There are apps you can put on your watch for that and you can even have it show your daily steps by adding it as a complication on your chosen watch face. Maybe the new ones do have a pedometer.

[Scarlett]

My watch came in yesterday.  I am in love with this y'all.  It is so easy to set up, so intuitive to use.  I should have got it years ago!