Apple Watch detects irregular heart beat in large US study

FILE - In this Sept. 12, 2018, file photo the new Apple Watch 4 is on display at the Steve Jobs Theater during an event to announce new products in Cupertino, Calif. The latest Apple Watch, for instance, has several features that will be useful to the elderly and less-active individuals. That includes built-in EKG sensors so you can share detailed heart readings with your doctor without visiting a clinic. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

The Apple Watch was able to detect irregular heart pulse rates that could signal the need for further monitoring for a serious heart rhythm problem, according to data from a large study funded by Apple Inc, demonstrating a potential future role for wearable consumer technology in healthcare.

Researchers hope the technology can assist in early detection of atrial fibrillation, the most common form of irregular heart beat. Patients with untreated AF are five times more likely to have a stroke.