Apple unveils the new fourth generation Apple Watch with built-in ECG and fall detection

Apple just unveiled its beautifully redesigned new smartwatch – the Apple watch series 4 which has revolutionary health capabilities of capturing an ECG and detect falls.

Along with the redesigning and re-engineering of the watch interface, it also incorporates the capability to take an ECG reading right from the wrist using the new ECG app. With the built-in electrodes in the Digital Crown and new heart rate sensors in the back-sapphire crystal, knowing about heart rate and rhythm is just a touch away.

The user can touch the crown and after 30 seconds, receive a heart rhythm classification. It can classify if the heart is beating in a regular pattern or whether there are signs of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), a heart condition that could lead to significant health complications. All recordings, their associated classifications and any noted symptoms are stored in the Health app in a PDF that can be shared with physicians.

It also analyzes the heart rhythm continuously in the background and sends notification in case irregular rhythm or AFib is detected. The watch also alerts the user if the heart rate goes up or fall below the desired threshold.

The built-in next generation accelerometer and gyroscope detect movements and based on custom algorithms can catch a fall measuring 32 g-forces. Considering the wrist trajectory and impact acceleration the watch sends an alert to the user after a fall which can be used to call emergency medical services.

If Apple Watch senses immobility for 60 seconds after the notification, it will automatically call emergency services and send a message along with the location to emergency contacts.

“We’re thrilled Apple Watch has become an essential part of people's lives,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer. “The completely redesigned Apple Watch Series 4 continues to be an indispensable communication and fitness companion, and now with the addition of groundbreaking features, like fall detection and the first-ever ECG app offered directly to consumers, it also becomes an intelligent guardian for your health.”

Beginning Friday, September 14, Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS) will be available to order in 26 countries and territories, and Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS + Cellular) will be available to order in 16 countries and territories. Both models will be available in stores beginning Friday, September 21.

Apple News Release

Apple promo video for the Apple watch series 4

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USPSTF issues draft recommendations on low-dose vitamin D and calcium for fracture prevention

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ellen-sarver-dolgen/vitamin-d-calcium-supplements_b_3543283.html

The USPSTF today issued draft recommendations for effectiveness and potential harm of prescribing Vitamin D and Calcium in community dwelling men and pre-and post-menopausal women for the primary prevention of fractures.

Aging population, low bone mass and falls all contribute to a substantial health burden of fractures. Nearly 1 in 2 women older than 50 years of age will experience a fracture during her life time.

Currently, Vitamin D and Calcium supplementation are often advised for postmenopausal women to prevent fractures.

USPSTF recommendations on efficacy of Calcium and Vitamin D in preventing fractures are based on data from a total of 41,772 women across eight 8 RCTs with mean age between 53 to 80 years while for assessing the harm it reviewed the evidence from 9 RCTs with a total of 39,659 subjects, which also included 5,991 men.

The review of evidence concluded:

USPSTF found sufficient evidence to recommend against daily supplementation of 400 IU or less of vitamin D combined with 1,000 mg or less of calcium in prevention of fractures in postmenopausal women.

Evidence is also insufficient to make recommendations for greater than 400 IU of vitamin D and greater than 1000 mg of calcium supplementation in postmenopausal women.

At this time, there is insufficient evidence to determine the balance of benefits and harms of prescribing vitamin D and calcium supplementation, alone or combined, for the primary prevention of fractures in men and premenopausal women.

USPSTF found sufficient evidence that supplementation with vitamin D and calcium increases the incidence of kidney stones, although the magnitude of this harm was small.

This recommendation does not apply to persons living in institutional or nursing home care or with a history of osteoporotic fractures or those who are at increased risk for falls. It also does not apply to persons with a diagnosis of osteoporosis or vitamin D deficiency.

USPSTF recommends screening for osteoporosis in women aged 65 or older and in younger women if they have a high fracture risk. Evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against screening for vitamin D deficiency in asymptomatic adults.

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