Apple Watch saved the life of a firefighter who was showing symptoms of a heart attackafter playing street hockey with his son. Despite being in good shape, shortly after the game, Travis Chalmers from Nova Scotia started complaining of a headache and a “warm feeling” in his chest. At first, he thought he just had the flu or a cold and wasn’t worried.
But his symptoms worsened. About a half hour later, he said, he lay down and felt his heart rate spike. Checking his Apple Watch, the firefighter saw that he was experiencing atrial fibrillation , an irregular heart rhythm that can indicate an impending stroke or heart failure.
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The 44-year-old decided to go to the hospital. “When I said atrial fibrillation and gave them the symptoms, I went in right away,” he said. “That’s when they told me I was probably having a heart attack.” Doctors told him his troponin levels were high, affecting the heart. Other tests also showed the firefighter was having a heart attack.
"I was in the hospital for a week and had more tests to confirm that one of my arteries was 100 percent blocked," the firefighter said. Doctors concluded that the artery completely blocked while Chalmers was playing street hockey with his son. He will be on daily medication for the rest of his life.
Although in very good physical condition, the firefighter was in danger, but the Apple Watch helped him avoid the worst by going to the hospital. As Chalmers said: “Basically, it tells you that something is different from what it was before, and if this is very different for you, see a doctor immediately.” His family has a limited history of heart disease and he warns others that “It can strike anyone at any time.”
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Cardiologist Ciorsti MacIntyre praised devices like the Apple Watch for being able to alert users immediately when they have an abnormal heart rhythm. The watches look for abnormalities in the heart rhythm, and people can immediately look for the problem.
However, while the doctor is happy to see people wearing smartwatches that can monitor their heart rate, she says these devices tend to make some information sound more serious than it actually is. However, it is a good idea for users to contact doctors to get tested.
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The use of wearable technology has increased in recent years, with devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers incorporating advanced sensors to monitor various health parameters . This has enabled people to monitor their physical activity levels, sleep, oxygen, heart rate and more in real time. As a result, these devices can save lives.
As shown in the case of the firefighter who survived a heart attack thanks to his Apple Watch, wearable technology can provide early detection of serious medical conditions like atrial fibrillation. This irregular heart rhythm can often go unnoticed, leading to potentially fatal consequences. But with the help of technology, individuals can receive timely alerts and seek medical attention before it’s too late.
Source: www.phonearena.com
