Atrial fibrillation history (AFib History), one of the latest health features of the Apple Watch system watchOS 9, received regulatory approval in Canada this week and was previously approved by the US FDA. The official version of watchOS 9 will be released this fall.
Currently, the Apple Watch’s ECG app and arrhythmia alerts can identify potential signs of atrial fibrillation, according to Apple. Atrial fibrillation can be one of the leading causes of stroke if left untreated.
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Research has shown that the length of time people experience atrial fibrillation can affect a person’s symptoms, overall quality of life, and risk of complications. Previously, it was difficult to track the frequency of atrial fibrillation over long periods of time or to manage life factors that could affect a person’s health. According to the American Heart Association, changing variable life factors may reduce the duration of atrial fibrillation.
With the launch of watchOS 9, users diagnosed with atrial fibrillation can turn on the FDA-approved atrial fibrillation history function and obtain important information such as the estimated frequency of the heart rhythm showing signs of atrial fibrillation, allowing users to better understand their physical conditions.
Users will receive weekly notifications about the frequency of atrial fibrillation and can view a detailed history in the Health app, including life factors that may affect atrial fibrillation, such as sleep, alcohol intake, and exercise. This feature is available for individuals 22 years of age or older who have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.
Users can download PDF files containing a detailed history of atrial fibrillation and life factors, which can be easily shared with doctors and caregivers for more detailed conversations.
Health Canada recently approved the atrial fibrillation history feature on the Apple Watch and iPhone, regulatory filings show. Canada is the second country to approve this new feature after the United States, where it received FDA approval after it was validated in clinical studies. Last month, Apple said the average difference in weekly measurements between the Apple Watch and an FDA-approved reference device was less than 1 percent.
When a patient is undergoing ablation therapy for chronic atrial fibrillation, the first attempt at treatment was unsuccessful and the patient continues to experience atrial fibrillation, the history of atrial fibrillation function may be useful.
In a preview of watchOS 9, Apple said the atrial fibrillation history feature is not currently approved in all countries, so the feature’s availability may be limited at launch. There is still time for other country regulators to approve the atrial fibrillation history feature before official release.
