Apple Watch related heart study has ended for early participants

We know that the Heart Rate monitor on the Apple Watch has saved some lives thanks to its ability to give early warnings. But Apple wanted to know exactly what other life threatening conditions could be predicted by its smartwatch, and initiated a study that began earlier this year. While expected to run through January 2019, some early participants have received an email from the company, telling them that their participation in the study has ended.

It might be sometime before we learn the results of the study, which was looking to find a way to connect certain data readings from the Apple Watch to irregular heart rhythms and serious ailments such as atrial fibrillation. Discovering these patterns can help with early detection of possibly fatal conditions, which could go a long way toward lowering mortality rates for these heart-related medical issues.

Participants in the study, conducted by Apple and Stanford Health, had to agree that they were comfortable writing in English, and were not previously diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation or Atrial flutter. Additionally, those taking blood thinners were not allowed to sign up. The participants installed the Apple Heart Study App on their iPhones, and even though the study has apparently ended for some, these participants are being told that they can continue to use the app to alert them in real time to any irregular heart rhythms.

source: AppleInsider