In recent years, wearable technology has revolutionised the healthcare industry, with smartwatches like the Apple Watch leading the charge in providing users with real-time health monitoring and alerts. One such remarkable instance occurred in Delhi, where the timely alert from an Apple Watch's ECG feature potentially saved the life of a 35-year-old woman.
Sneha Saha, a policy researcher residing in Munirka, Delhi, found herself experiencing a rapid heart rate late one evening in April. Initially attributing it to stress-induced panic, she attempted to alleviate the symptoms through deep breathing exercises and hydration. However, as the problem persisted, she decided to utilise her Apple Watch to assess her condition.
To her surprise, the Apple Watch detected abnormalities in her heart rhythm and advised her to seek medical attention. Despite initially brushing off the warning, the watch's persistent alerts, coupled with her deteriorating condition, prompted Sneha to visit a doctor. Around midnight, the Apple Watch alerted her to an extremely high heart rate of 230 beats per minute and the onset of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), a potentially life-threatening condition.
Also Read: Understanding Digestive Health: Expert Shares 7 Common Issues and Solutions
Rushed to the Emergency department at Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj, doctors struggled to read her pulse due to the severity of her condition. After assessing her situation, medical professionals administered three rounds of direct current (DC) shocks to restore her heart's sinus rhythm. Following the intervention, Sneha was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she received further medical care that ultimately saved her life.
Role of Wearable Technology in Healthcare
This incident highlights the life-saving potential of wearable technology, particularly smartwatches equipped with advanced health monitoring features such as ECG. Beyond tracking daily activities and fitness metrics, these devices can detect critical health issues in real-time, empowering users to take proactive steps towards their well-being.
Also Read: What Are the Different Types of Asthma and How Can They Be Treated
The ability of smartwatches to monitor heart health, detect irregularities, and provide timely alerts is invaluable, especially for individuals with pre-existing cardiac conditions or those at risk of cardiovascular events. As technology continues to evolve, incorporating more sophisticated health monitoring capabilities, wearable devices like the Apple Watch are poised to play an increasingly significant role in preventive healthcare and early disease detection.
Bottomline
This case serves as a compelling reminder of the importance of leveraging technology to prioritise health and well-being, and underscores the potential of wearable devices to save lives by providing timely interventions in critical situations.