How to Take an ECG with Your Apple Watch

Key Takeaways

To take an ECG reading on your Apple Watch, open the ECG app, rest your arms on a table or in your lap, and place your finger on the Digital Crown without pressing it. Wait for 30 seconds for the reading to complete, and then review your results.
To ensure the accuracy of your ECG readings, place the watch on your wrist, ensure your wrist and Apple Watch are clean and dry, and keep still during the reading process.
The Apple Watch ECG app can provide four possible results – Sinus Rhythm (regular heart pattern), Atrial Fibrillation (irregular rhythm), Low Heart Rate or High Heart Rate (if your heart rate is below 50 BPM or above 120 BPM on ECG version 1, or above 150 BPM on ECG version 2), and Inconclusive (if the app can't classify the heart rhythm). However, these results should not replace professional medical advice, and if you notice irregularities or feel unwell, it's essential to consult a healthcare provider.

To take an ECG reading on your Apple Watch, open the ECG app, rest your arms on a table or in your lap, and place your finger on the Digital Crown without pressing it. Wait for 30 seconds for the reading to complete, and then review your results.
To ensure the accuracy of your ECG readings, place the watch on your wrist, ensure your wrist and Apple Watch are clean and dry, and keep still during the reading process.
The Apple Watch ECG app can provide four possible results – Sinus Rhythm (regular heart pattern), Atrial Fibrillation (irregular rhythm), Low Heart Rate or High Heart Rate (if your heart rate is below 50 BPM or above 120 BPM on ECG version 1, or above 150 BPM on ECG version 2), and Inconclusive (if the app can't classify the heart rhythm). However, these results should not replace professional medical advice, and if you notice irregularities or feel unwell, it's essential to consult a healthcare provider.

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Got other questions on your Apple Watch? See the complete set of Qaly guides on Apple Watch:

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Introduction

The electrocardiogram, commonly known as ECG, is a medical tool used to monitor the rhythm and electrical activity of the heart. In an extraordinary advancement for personal health technology, Apple has incorporated an ECG feature into its smartwatches. However, the Apple Watch ECG not working is an issue many people face. This tutorial will guide you on how to do an ECG on Apple Watch and understand the readings to better manage your heart health. Before we proceed, it's essential to have the ECG app installed on your Apple Watch. If you're wondering how, here's our guide on how to install the ECG app on your Apple Watch.

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How to Take an ECG Reading

Now that you've set up the ECG feature, let's explore how to take an ECG on Apple Watch:

Open the ECG App: Tap the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch, then open the ECG app.
Rest Your Arms: Rest your arms on a table or in your lap.
Place Your Finger on the Digital Crown: Hold your finger on the Digital Crown but avoid pressing it.
Wait for 30 Seconds: The app will begin reading your heart's electrical signals. Stay still for 30 seconds until the countdown ends.
Review Your Results: Once done, you will see your results and any noted symptoms. You can tap 'Save' to document your symptoms, then tap 'Done'.

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To take an ECG, place your finger on the Digital Crown. For the best quality of recording, make sure to rest your arm on a table or on your lap.

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Tips for a Clean ECG Reading

To ensure the accuracy of your ECG readings, here are some suggestions on how to use the ECG on Apple Watch:

Rest Before Taking a Reading: Avoid physical exertion before taking a reading. Try to rest for at least five minutes before starting the process.
Proper Watch Placement: The watch should be snug but comfortable on the top of your wrist. Avoid wearing it too loose or too tight.
Clean and Dry Skin: Make sure your wrist and Apple Watch are clean and dry. Wet or sweaty skin can affect the ECG readings.
Keep Still: Avoid unnecessary movements or shaking during the process as it can interfere with the reading.

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How To Interpret ECG Results

Understanding your ECG results is vital in monitoring your heart health. If you're curious, here's a guide from Stanford Associate Professor Medicine and Qaly Co-Founder, Dr. Marco Perez, on how to read your ECG.

Here are six possible results that your Apple Watch ECG app might show:

Sinus Rhythm: This means your heart is beating in a regular pattern.
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): This refers to an irregular rhythm that could indicate AFib, a form of irregular heart rhythm.
Low Heart Rate or High Heart Rate: The ECG app cannot check for AFib if your heart rate is below 50 BPM or above 120 BPM on ECG version 1, or above 150 BPM on ECG version 2.
Inconclusive: If the app can't classify your heart rhythm, the result will be inconclusive.
Poor Recording: This means your watch couldn't get a clean enough ECG reading to analyze it.

These results should not replace professional medical advice. If you notice irregularities or feel unwell, please consult a healthcare provider.

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You'll find your Apple Watch ECG results at the top of both the ECG recording in the Health app and your ECG's PDF report.

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Conclusion

Well, that just about wraps up our guide on how to take an ECG with your Apple Watch. We hope this could be of some help to you.

If you need help interpreting your Apple Watch ECGs, don't worry, we understand how frustrating and confusing it can be to experience irregular heartbeats. That's why we created the Qaly app for you and for the hundreds of millions of people around the world who experience irregular heartbeats and abnormal heart rhythms. On the Qaly app, human experts will interpret your Apple Watch ECGs within minutes for clarity and peace of mind.

To get started with the Qaly app, grab the Qaly app from the App Store or Play Store today. If you have any more questions, or if you need our help in any other way, don't hesitate to reach out to us at support@qaly.co.

As always from the team at Qaly, stay heart healthy ❤️

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