How is the Apple Watch important for your health?

We don’t get surprised when we hear stories of people who state that the Apple Watch feature  Health app on iPhone has saved their lives. From fall detection to heart-rate monitoring, the little gadget has potential to highlight issues that could go wrong with serious aftermaths.

We are not advocating that only the watch can serve this purpose, your other gadgets like your smart phone can help you in the time of emergency, too. 

For now, let’s take Apple Watch and check out the must-have health features:

Setting up the Health app on iPhone

Apple Watch usually works best with an iPhone, so our first move goes like this. The Health app on iPhone allows the users to enter health details about your body, such as height, weight and blood type. There are plenty of options to choose from. Here’s how to access it:

• Open the Health app on iPhone.
• Tap profile picture in the top right-hand corner.
• Tap on Health Details.
• Enter your information.

Check your heart rate

While an Apple Watch won’t give you an accurate heart rate, it can provide with a close approximation. To check, tap on the Heart Rate app on your Apple Watch. You will discover your current heart rate, resting rate, and walking average rate.

If you are continuously wearing the watch, it will record frequent readings of your heart rate and stores that data in the health app on iPhone.

If you want to review the previously stored data, tap on the arrow in the upper left corner of the app.

Measure an electrocardiogram

With an Apple Watch Series 4 or later, you have the capability to take an electrocardiogram, an ECG, or better known as an EKG. This is very crucial in recording the timing and strength of your heartbeat. Doctors rely on this test to detect any abnormalities.

First install and set up the ECG app. Here’s how:

• Head over to the Health app on iPhone.
• Tap the Browse tab, you will find Heart – Electrocardiograms (ECG) – Set Up ECG App.
• When the setup is complete, tap ECG app.

How to take an ECG:

• The Apple Watch needs to be snugged to your wrist. To check, open the Apple Watch app, tap on the My Watch tab, then go to General > Watch Orientation.
• Open the ECG app on your watch.
• place your arms on a table or in your lap and keep it still.
• With the underlying hand, place your finger on the Digital Crown. You don’t need to press the Digital Crown during this.
• Wait for around half a minute. When the process ends, you can tap Add Symptoms and choose your symptoms.
• Tap Done.

Fall detection

You will be amazed to find that how many lives this feature has saved in the past. If enabled, if the Apple watch detects a fall, it immediately contacts emergency services to get help. To set it up:

• Open the Watch app.
• Swipe down.
• Tap Emergency SOS.
• Enable Fall Detection.

When the Fall Detection is enabled, it will sound an alarm if you fall. If you don’t respond, the watch will contact emergency services.

Setting up Medical ID

This is advisable for everyone. You can create your Medical ID Health app on the iPhone and store it on your watch. Open the Health app, and select the Medical ID option. You can even add any of your past medical history, diseases, allergies, medications and any other information vital in the time of an emergency.

Blood oxygen sensor

If you have the Apple Watch Series 6, you can monitor your blood oxygen levels. The watch comes with a built-in oxy-meter to keep track of healthy amount of oxygen circulating in your blood. 

When observing your blood oxygen level, the ideal number should be in between 95 and 100. If you are getting anything lower than that consistently, call your doctor.

Setup guide:

• Head over to the Health app on iPhone.
• Tap Browse, go to Respiratory – Blood Oxygen – Set up Blood Oxygen.
• When the setup is complete, open the Blood Oxygen app on your Apple Watch.

To take a blood oxygen measurement:

• The watch needs to be snugged to your wrist.
• Tap Blood Oxygen app on your Apple Watch.
• Stay still and keep your hands loose
• Tap Start. Keep your arm steady for 15 seconds. When the process is complete, you will receive the measurements & results.
• Tap Done.