In a remarkable testament to the power of wearable health technology, an Apple Watch has played a pivotal role in helping a New Zealand woman detect a rare and life-threatening illness before it was too late. Amanda Faulkner, a consultant psychiatrist from Napier, owes her early diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia to the persistent health alerts generated by her Apple Watch Series 10.
Unusual Heart Rate Alerts Trigger Medical Attention
Faulkner, who upgraded to the Apple Watch Series 10 last year, began receiving regular notifications from the device’s Vitals app indicating an elevated resting heart rate. Her normal rate of 55 bpm had climbed to the 90s. Initially brushing off the warnings as possible device errors, Faulkner eventually consulted her doctor after the alerts persisted.
The Vitals app, introduced with the Series 10, tracks key health metrics including heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, blood oxygen levels, and sleep quality. Each morning, it generates a report highlighting any irregularities—a feature that proved life-saving in Faulkner’s case.
Rapid Diagnosis and Life-Saving Action
Upon reviewing her Apple Watch data, Faulkner’s general practitioner immediately referred her to the emergency department. There, doctors diagnosed her with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. The medical team informed her that had she waited even a few more days, the cancer could have progressed beyond the point of effective treatment.
Faulkner began chemotherapy treatment shortly after her diagnosis and is now preparing for a high-risk stem cell transplant scheduled for July. The procedure has a 20% risk of mortality but is crucial to her recovery.
“It Saved My Life,” Says Faulkner
Reflecting on her experience, Faulkner credits the Apple Watch with saving her life. “If it wasn’t for my smartwatch constantly reminding me, I wouldn’t have known something was wrong,” she said. Her husband, Mike Faulkner, also emphasized the vital role the watch played in improving her survival chances.
This case highlights the increasing importance of wearable technology in early diagnosis and preventive healthcare. With heart rate monitoring and other biometric tracking becoming more advanced, smartwatches are proving to be more than just lifestyle accessories—they’re potentially life-saving tools.
Author Profile
- My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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