Apple has announced it is celebrating Heart Health Month during February with an activity challenge for Apple Watch users and heart health events in Apple Stores in San Francisco, Chicago and New York.
A new Apple Watch Activity Challenge will be available to promote heart health. Anyone who closes their Exercise Ring seven days in a row from February 8-14 will earn a special badge and stickers for Messages on Valentine’s Day.
“Cardiovascular disease takes many forms and some are fully preventable through lifestyle changes like increased physical activity and better nutrition. It’s always great to see patients make those positive changes, especially with the help of Apple Watch,” said Sumbul Desai, MD, Apple’s vice president of Health. “Other conditions are more challenging to pinpoint like Afib and this is where we hope to help people access and understand information about their heart health through our irregular rhythm notification and ECG app.”
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common form of irregular heart rhythm and if left untreated can result in stroke. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates AFib can affect up to two percent of the younger population and nine percent of those 65 years and older in the US. The ECG app and irregular rhythm notification feature were introduced on Apple Watch last year, which help users identify signs of AFib. Apple continues to receive letters from customers who explain Apple Watch has helped them identify heart conditions, seek medical treatment, lose weight and get more active.
“Heart Health With Apple” events will be held at the following Apple Stores:
- San Francisco: Apple Union Square, February 11, 2019, 6 p.m.: Dr. Sumbul Desai, Jeanette Jenkins, Julz Arney
- New York: Apple Williamsburg, February 21, 2019, 4:30 p.m.: Dr. Sumbul Desai, Jeanette Jenkins, Jay Blahnik
- Chicago: Apple Michigan Avenue, February 27, 2019, 6 p.m.: Dr. Sumbul Desai, Nancy Brown, Jeanette Jenkins, Craig Bolton
To register for a Heart Health with Apple session, visit apple.com/today or visit the Sessions tab in the Apple Store App.
