What is Apple Watch ECG, how does it work, and how do you set it up?

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Apple has consistently remained a trailblazer and industry leader in groundbreaking tech. It has unveiled several life-changing products over the years from the first Macintosh computers to iPods to modern MacBooks. But Apple’s most easily recognizable offering has remained the iPhone. Of course, with the closed ecosystem approach Apple adopted, it was not going to stop at a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.  

Using some of the best offerings on Superinternetdeals, you can create an ecosystem within your home that syncs across all your Apple devices. Apple offers some of the best hardware and stable operating systems in the industry. And with wearable tech opening up an entirely new avenue to explore, the Apple Watch was not long in coming. However, the latest version seems to be focusing more on user health and fitness than ever before. Read on to find out more about the ECG function on Apple Watch 6. 

A Brief Intro to Apple Watch 6 

The Apple Watch 6 is the latest in the company’s wearable smart tech line. The earliest model came out around 6 years ago. Back then, it was more of a quirky digital alternative to conventional watches. There was no specific focus on user health. Of course, technology can evolve quite a lot in 6 years. This is why the Apple Watch 6, along with many other features, monitors and reports on a wearer’s heart health. Could this be a gamechanger in self-care and a healthier lifestyle? Find out more below.  

The ECG Feature On Apple Watch  

The Apple Watch 6 has two distinct features that relate to heart health. The first is notifying a wearer of an irregular rhythm in their heartbeat. However, this feature has remained more or less standard in Apple Watches Series 1 and later models. However, the ECG feature is brand new, and remains compatible only with Apple Watch Series 4 or later. It can enable a user to take an echocardiogram reading from the comfort of their home instead of traveling to a GP or a hospital.  

How to Get ECG on Your Apple Watch  

Getting the ECG feature on your Apple Watch is easy enough. That is, of course, if your Apple Watch runs at least Watch OS 5.2. There are so many Apple devices and OS that it can often get difficult to keep track of them all. However, the ECG feature works well with all Apple Watch Series 4 models and later. All you need to do is set up everything right. If you have the right OS and hardware, your ECG application should work just fine.  

What You Need to Use the ECG Function  

The first thing you need is at least an Apple Watch Series 4. But you also need Apple’s ECG App from the App Store. At the same time, you will also need at least an iPhone 5. Finally, you need a nice quiet spot where you can sit still and take your ECG reading. Of course, the application isn’t available yet globally. So, you need to be in a supported location to use it.  

Setting Up the ECG App 

Setting up the ECG app is not that hard. It needs your Apple Watch to run at least OS5.2 and your iPhone to run at least OS12.2. If you have both, you can easily access the ECG function using the official Health app on your iPhone. First-time users may see a prompt to configure the ECG correctly. Once set up, you can easily start monitoring your ECG reading whenever you want.  

Share ECG Updates with Your Cardiologist 

There are several advantages to an accurate ECG feature. In many parts of the world, especially in the United States, good healthcare can often be expensive. A single test, such as one requiring an echocardiogram, can often cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. But the ECG feature on the Apple Watch can allow you to do so whenever you want, as many times as you want. You can even share a pdf of your ECG with your physician. Moreover, thanks to Apple’s extensive privacy protection, you can be sure your ECH and other Health data remain secure. The company does not share it with anyone else. 

Can it Replace a Clinical ECG? 

Of course, the ECG function is a great idea on a piece of wearable tech. However, it may not be as good as a hospital-grade ECG machine. Those cost far more and are also far more expensive. However, the Apple Watch ECG function will always remain useful in terms of monitoring your heart health regularly on your own.