Apple Watch and staying alive - a reluctant wearer's conversion
"It's probably nothing, but I want you to wear an Apple Watch to watch your heart and sleep for a while," the doctor said.
It's probably not surprising that writing online for a living is a mostly sedentary profession. Until now, my doctor likened my health to my old car -- runs fine, works pretty well, but the scars are apparent, and the finish isn't great anymore.
While I've only been tech writing for nine years internet-facing, I've been doing it for much longer than that, in parallel with time in Apple hardware service, tech support, and consulting. At least the service jobs were mostly standing.
And, I'm notably over 50. After a decade in the Navy spanning the entire '90s -- and honestly, including those years -- time has not been what you'd call kind.
Like it or not, with a few simple words from a doctor, I'm back on the Apple Watch. Not necessarily by choice, but for the greater good regardless.
For me, as I've said before, it was a little too far down the chain for daily or continuous use. I'm Mac-centric with my work production and a media consumer, mostly on iOS and iPadOS. So, the Apple Watch pre-cardiac monitoring order, was an unnecessary adjunct, and frankly, invasive and painful.
But now, like that old car metaphor that my doctor uses uncomfortably often, the engine might be getting a little rough. So it's not exactly as easy to take it apart and fix what's wrong, like my Hyundai from nearly the turn of the century.
So, here we are.
I don't see any of them complaining about billing for the appointment, though. It's not like the visits are free if there's nothing wrong at the point of care.
Speaking as a consumer deeply embedded in the healthcare system because of family health issues, I think that these doctors crying about new patients getting proactive health care is short-sighted and overly traditional. Nobody is calling the Apple Watch equivalent to a 16-channel EEG system, and it is a point of data that can be used in that healthcare.
And, most Americans eschew preventative care, fearing the bills even with good insurance. But, Pre-care is very nearly always less expensive than post-incident care, and the added costs of false alarms is worth it.
And, in my case, a false alarm for something else led to the discovery that it was probably time to get that ongoing cardiac, blood pressure, and sleep data from the Apple Watch.
It took about two more years after that 2015 debut and my original review in a now-shuttered venue for Apple to re-position it as a health monitor, and that's mostly what I'll be using it for. I was given the choice of other monitors, but terms of service from Apple's competitors about use and sharing of health data for this reason or that, even anonymized, didn't fill me with a great deal of confidence that it was going to go that well.
Going forward, I'll be talking about what I'm using it for, how I accessorize it, and how workflows effectively carved in stone tablets carried down from the mount have adapted. I already have discovered that one of my pain points with wearing an Apple Watch all day -- a buckle or connector right on my wrist flat on my desk -- has a good workaround. I'm using both an inexpensive and washable desk mat that you've seen in reviews I've written and a very affordable third-party band to solve those problems.
Over time, we'll be talking about communications, Apple's Health, medical record sharing, mass transit use, and more that some of the long-term Apple Watch users will be familiar with -- but the newer folks to the platform aren't.
And, in case you were wondering, I'm fine -- today. The data that we'll collect with the Apple Watch will help make sure that I stay that way.
Keep up with everything Apple in the weekly AppleInsider Podcast -- and get a fast news update from AppleInsider Daily. Just say, "Hey, Siri," to your HomePod mini and ask for these podcasts, and our latest HomeKit Insider episode too.If you want an ad-free main AppleInsider Podcast experience, you can support the AppleInsider podcast by subscribing for $5 per month through Apple's Podcasts app, or via Patreon if you prefer any other podcast player.AppleInsider is also bringing you the best Apple-related deals for Amazon Prime Day 2021. There are bargains before, during, and even after Prime Day on June 21 and 22 -- with every deal at your fingertips throughout the event.
It's probably not surprising that writing online for a living is a mostly sedentary profession. Until now, my doctor likened my health to my old car -- runs fine, works pretty well, but the scars are apparent, and the finish isn't great anymore.
While I've only been tech writing for nine years internet-facing, I've been doing it for much longer than that, in parallel with time in Apple hardware service, tech support, and consulting. At least the service jobs were mostly standing.
And, I'm notably over 50. After a decade in the Navy spanning the entire '90s -- and honestly, including those years -- time has not been what you'd call kind.
Like it or not, with a few simple words from a doctor, I'm back on the Apple Watch. Not necessarily by choice, but for the greater good regardless.
Mike and the Apple Watch
I'm not late to the Apple Watch party. I've had three and tried to take it up four times, with the original, an Apple Watch Series 3 (twice), and now a Series 6. Each time, I gave it the old college try, and each time I bounced off it pretty profoundly. Being an expert on the device is part of the job, after all.For me, as I've said before, it was a little too far down the chain for daily or continuous use. I'm Mac-centric with my work production and a media consumer, mostly on iOS and iPadOS. So, the Apple Watch pre-cardiac monitoring order, was an unnecessary adjunct, and frankly, invasive and painful.
But now, like that old car metaphor that my doctor uses uncomfortably often, the engine might be getting a little rough. So it's not exactly as easy to take it apart and fix what's wrong, like my Hyundai from nearly the turn of the century.
So, here we are.
Doctors and the Apple Watch
I'm not sure if my doctor is an outlier. There have been several op-eds from doctors complaining that they'll see more people scared by what they see on the Apple Watch, and seek treatment. Those same doctors claim that the doctor's office visit is unnecessary and a waste of time.I don't see any of them complaining about billing for the appointment, though. It's not like the visits are free if there's nothing wrong at the point of care.
Speaking as a consumer deeply embedded in the healthcare system because of family health issues, I think that these doctors crying about new patients getting proactive health care is short-sighted and overly traditional. Nobody is calling the Apple Watch equivalent to a 16-channel EEG system, and it is a point of data that can be used in that healthcare.
And, most Americans eschew preventative care, fearing the bills even with good insurance. But, Pre-care is very nearly always less expensive than post-incident care, and the added costs of false alarms is worth it.
And, in my case, a false alarm for something else led to the discovery that it was probably time to get that ongoing cardiac, blood pressure, and sleep data from the Apple Watch.
It's been six years, why now?
The Apple Watch was launched as a fashion accessory a bit more than six years ago. At the time, there were dozens of features about Apple's focus on the device as a fashion accessory. I've reviewed a few of the Apple Watch models across the years, but they never stayed on my wrist.It took about two more years after that 2015 debut and my original review in a now-shuttered venue for Apple to re-position it as a health monitor, and that's mostly what I'll be using it for. I was given the choice of other monitors, but terms of service from Apple's competitors about use and sharing of health data for this reason or that, even anonymized, didn't fill me with a great deal of confidence that it was going to go that well.
Going forward, I'll be talking about what I'm using it for, how I accessorize it, and how workflows effectively carved in stone tablets carried down from the mount have adapted. I already have discovered that one of my pain points with wearing an Apple Watch all day -- a buckle or connector right on my wrist flat on my desk -- has a good workaround. I'm using both an inexpensive and washable desk mat that you've seen in reviews I've written and a very affordable third-party band to solve those problems.
Over time, we'll be talking about communications, Apple's Health, medical record sharing, mass transit use, and more that some of the long-term Apple Watch users will be familiar with -- but the newer folks to the platform aren't.
And, in case you were wondering, I'm fine -- today. The data that we'll collect with the Apple Watch will help make sure that I stay that way.
Keep up with everything Apple in the weekly AppleInsider Podcast -- and get a fast news update from AppleInsider Daily. Just say, "Hey, Siri," to your HomePod mini and ask for these podcasts, and our latest HomeKit Insider episode too.If you want an ad-free main AppleInsider Podcast experience, you can support the AppleInsider podcast by subscribing for $5 per month through Apple's Podcasts app, or via Patreon if you prefer any other podcast player.AppleInsider is also bringing you the best Apple-related deals for Amazon Prime Day 2021. There are bargains before, during, and even after Prime Day on June 21 and 22 -- with every deal at your fingertips throughout the event.
Comments
I can give my experience. I could feel my heart doing something funky and decided to use the ECG feature as a way to reassure myself it wasn’t serious. That isn’t the most sound thinking but it was 2 in the morning and funky heart woke me up. I wasn’t thinking clearly. Anyway, the watch said i was in afib. So I hauled myself to to the ER and was admitted, the watch was correct. When the doctor came in she literally asked “Did you use the watch to tell that you had afib?”, Kinda sheepishly I said “Yes” and she said, “Everone I have had come in because of their watch has actually had it, I didn’t think it would work that well”. As a follow up I had to start seeing a cardiologist and a similar thing happened with him. He said “When they announced that feature I thought it was bullshit and there is no way it would work. It totally works.” In dealing with my off and on heart funkyness he has just relayed on the watch for monitoring and the PDFs generated by the health app. No other equipment needed. So in my limited sample the doctors seem to see on team watch with one being an admitted skeptic. Not bad.
More importantly, fair play Mike for opening up and sharing. Glad to hear you are ok, long may it continue.
I think I can credit my Apple Watch as the thing that finally pushed me over the hump on continually exercising, and stopping the inertia of middle age weight gain. Lots of starts and stops in the past, but the Watch with the closing ring features combined with cordless earbuds finally made running something that wasn't tortuous, so it's been all very fruitful for me. I could listen to podcasts and music without holding a phone or have dangling cords. That made the difference.
Commit to always closing the rings. Set modest goals, and always close them. Have a heavy exercise day, then a light exercise day or two to recover. The ring goals are for your light exercise days, not your heavy day. Only do a little more than what you think you can do. Always do exercise first thing in the morning. This is the main thing. Always close the rings.
Not sure it will help any potential cardiac issues though.
That's what I did I have a braided solo loop now and I almost forget I have it on. Almost, because it’s helping me track my workouts, and nagging me to move more, so I’ve lost 30 lb. Now the one I have is a touch too loose and slides up my wrist.
One of Apple's Solo bands is on my list, but $8 or so for a proof of concept seemed like a pretty safe gamble.
—if only those with the means (and the responsibility) to set in motion a long overdue revision of the health care system, would take a minute to reflect on this. Perhaps a granddaughter could assist—it is not rocket science but quite intuitive: do you prefer risk of sudden onset of life threatening illness, or periodic consultations with your doctor thereby facilitating detection of early warning signs and implementation of preventive measures which—in many cases—will mitigate risk of severe health problems.
What the hell is a Q wave I thought? So I did the worst thing and looked it up online where I found out an abnormal Q wave is usually caused by a genetic disorder and could result in nothing or sudden death. Sudden death? Wtf? I thought that was a term only used in sports? For weeks I was terrified, and I had made an appointment with one of the best cardiologists in the state later on in the month.
Well, after a few weeks I ended up having to go to the ER, not because of my Q wave, but because of my addiction to espressos and I had 3 shots within 30 minutes and felt like I was having a heart attack. The paramedics came, were worried about my heart rate and took me to the hospital.
I told him that I drank a lot of espresso and was probably dehydrated and he replied, “That would make you feel like you’re having a heart attack, so lay off the coffee for awhile.”
The kicker was when I asked him about the abnormal Q wave my Dr. said I had he replied “Nah, your Q wave is normal, they hooked you up wrong.” He then showed me on the little
receipt paper it prints out.
-- Education: What is it and what does it do?
-- Support: To get you over the rough spots and obstacles that ALWAYS come up
For me, the Apple Watch is more of a data collector than a gateway to the very start of a healthy lifestyle. I do need to be better about routinely completing the rings in equal measure, though.