Mike Wuerthele
Researchers from the University of California San Fransisco in conjunction with the developers of the Cardiogram app have proven that using existing sensors, the Apple Watch can detect sleep apnea and hypertension with a high degree of accuracy, potentially opening up the ability for the device to be used as a long-term research tool for the conditions.
The study sponsored by the University of California surveyed 6115 participants with an Apple Watch through the Cardiogram app. A machine learning algorithm called "DeepHeart" was used to sift through the data for 70 percent of the study participants to diagnose the remaining 30 percent.
"The idea here is that by screening continuously you would identify people with hypertension who might not know they have it," said Cardiogram co-founder and study lead Johnson Hsieh told TechCrunch in an interview. "Thenm you'd guide them through the appropriate final diagnosis, which would be through a blood pressure cuff and then treatment."
Sleep apnea was detected with a 90 percent accuracy. Hypertension was diagnosed with an 82 percent accuracy.
Sleep apnea is a condition where the afflicted can stop breathing in their sleep. An estimated 22 million adults are affected in the U.S., with misdiagnoses common. About 75 million Americans are afflicted with hypertension — a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
17 Comments
Because of this article, I downloaded the Cardiogram app on my iPhone and have it running on my Apple Watch Series 2.
Thanks.
This will be where the watch ultimately is going. Collecting data about our health.
My Apple Watch charges and night and gets worn during the day.
I suppose I could buy a second Apple Watch to charge during the day and wear during the night. :neutral:
When I had my Series 1 Apple Watch, I put it on the charger for an hour before bed then for half an hour in the morning top up the charge to get thru the day. So I was wearing it 22 hours plus a day.
Am I the only one petty enough to notice and be bothered by the passive voice in the article title? "... able to be used as ..." seems so awkward. Why not "... can be used as ..."?
Yeah, I'm that guy.