[The core of the Apple Heart Study]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Digital Health
• Wearable Technology

Background:

• The Apple Heart Study investigated heart rhythm using consumer wearables.
• Digital recruitment targeted a large population of Apple Watch users in the US.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of mass screening for heart rhythm irregularities using a consumer smartwatch.
• To evaluate the yield of significant arrhythmias in a general population sample.

Main Methods:

• Digital recruitment of United States-based Apple Watch users.
• Utilized smartwatch technology for heart rhythm monitoring and screening.
• Collected data on participant demographics and arrhythmia detection.

Main Results:

• The study population had a mean age slightly above 40 years.
• The detection rate of significant arrhythmias was low.
• Follow-up participation was less than 50% for individuals with suspected arrhythmias.

Conclusions:

• Consumer-initiated diagnostics via wearables present a new frontier in healthcare.
• Healthcare systems must adapt to the rise of self-initiated health monitoring and diagnostics.
• The study highlights challenges in participant engagement for follow-up in large-scale digital health studies.