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Self-published thriller author Adam Croft has credited his Apple Watch with saving his life after the device alerted him to a potential heart condition that had gone undiagnosed. The British writer, who had been experiencing dizziness before he went to bed, woke up to find that his Apple Watch had been repeatedly sending him notifications throughout the night, urging him to seek medical advice over atrial fibrillation.
Croft, who had initially shrugged off his symptoms, decided to call the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) number for medical inquiries. The service advised him to get to the hospital within the hour. Bedford Hospital performed two electrocardiograms (ECGs) and confirmed the author’s diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, a condition that can cause an irregular heartbeat and increases the risk of stroke.
The Apple Watch, which was launched in 2018, has repeatedly been credited with saving lives by alerting users to potential heart conditions. Multiple times, the device’s heart rate sensors have been used to detect irregular heartbeats in patients, leading to potentially life-saving interventions.
Aside from its atrial fibrillation detection capabilities, the Apple Watch also has a range of health features that make it ideal for users who need to stay healthy while working from home. These include the ability to monitor heart rate, track activity levels, and set reminders to take breaks throughout the day.
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For Croft, the incident has served as a wake-up call to take his health more seriously. He has been put on medication to thin his blood and will receive a cardioversion procedure, which uses quick shocks to restore a regular heart rhythm. “It is something that will get worse and will happen more and more over time“, he said, “so it’s a case of keeping my stress levels down and looking after myself“.
As for his Apple Watch, Croft has no plans to take it off any time soon. “The watch will be staying on now”, he said.