Heart health notifications on your Apple WatchYou can enable notifications from the heart rate app on your Apple Watch to alert you to high or low heart rates and irregular heart rhythms.
Messages at high and low heart rate
If your heart rate is above or below a certain number of beats per minute (BPM), the Apple Watch can notify you. These notifications are only available for Apple Watch Series 1 or newer 13 years and older.
When you first open the heart rate app on the Apple Watch, you can enable heart rate notifications. You can also do this anytime later via your iPhone:
1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. 2. Tap on the tab "My watch. Subsequently on "heart. Tap on the "My Watch" tab. Afterwards on "heart. 3. Type "High heart rate, And choose a number of beats per minute (BPM). 4. Tap "Low heart rate, and dialed a number of beats per minute (BPM).
Visit the American Heart Association (AHA) website for information about possible causes of a high heart rate or low heart rate.
Messages for irregular heart rhythms
The irregular heart rhythm notifications feature on your Apple Watch occasionally monitors your heartbeat to check for an irregular rhythm, which could be atrial fibrillation. Learn how to activate messages for irregular heart rhythm. Messages for irregular heart rhythm are currently only available in certain countries and regions. Find out where messages are available for irregular heart rhythms. You can also find your version of the irregular heart rhythm message function there.
Conditions for activating messages in irregular heart rhythm
– Make sure the messages are available in your country or region. Here you can find out where messages are available for irregular heart rhythm. Update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS. Update your Apple Watch to the latest version of watchOS. – These messages are not intended for individuals diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. – These communications are not intended for use by persons under 22 years of age.
Activate messages for irregular heart rhythm
1. Make sure the software on your iPhone and Apple Watch is up to date. 2. Open the Health app on your iPhone. 3. Tap on the Discover tab and go to "Heart" > "Unreg. Heart Rhythm Messages". 4. Once activated, you can turn notifications for irregular heart rhythm on or off in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone: Open the Apple Watch app, tap the "My Watch" tab, and select "Heart > "Irregular rhythm".
Steps to take after receiving a notice
When you receive a notification, the irregular heart rhythm notifications feature on your Apple Watch has detected an irregular heart rhythm indicative of atrial fibrillation and confirmed it with multiple measurements.
If you don't have an atrial fibrillation diagnosis from a doctor, you should talk to your doctor.
Functioning of messages in irregular heart rhythm
The irregular heart rhythm notifications feature on your Apple Watch occasionally monitors your heartbeat to check for an irregular rhythm that could be atrial fibrillation. This usually happens when you're not moving, ensuring a more accurate reading. Depending on how active you are, the number of measurements taken per day and the time between them will vary.
What is atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is a form of irregular heart rhythm. Atrial fibrillation occurs when the heart beats irregularly. This is a common form of irregular heart rhythm in which the upper chambers of the heart (atria) are not in sync with the lower chambers (ventricles).
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), about 2% of people under age 65 and 9% of people over age 65 have atrial fibrillation. Irregularities in the heart rhythm become more frequent with age. Some people with atrial fibrillation experience no symptoms at all. Others experience symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, palpitations, fatigue or shortness of breath.
Atrial fibrillation can be temporary or permanent, and people with atrial fibrillation often lead healthy, active lives. Episodes of atrial fibrillation can be prevented by regular physical activity, a heart-healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and treating other conditions that could worsen atrial fibrillation. If left untreated, atrial fibrillation can lead to heart failure or blood clots that may cause strokes. With medical help and the use of medications, atrial fibrillation is well manageable. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications such as the following.