Apple Watch alert led journalist to discover atrial fibrillation

Journalist Stephen Pollard said his Apple Watch warned of a high resting heart rate while he was being treated for leukemia and on a prescribed antibiotic, prompting medical review and a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.

Stephen Pollard, a journalist and former editor-at-large of the Jewish Chronicle, wrote in The Times about an Apple Watch alert that led to a medical diagnosis. He first noticed a severe cough that developed into nausea and breathlessness while he was taking medication for leukemia. A doctor prescribed an antibiotic for a chest infection, and Pollard later received a watch warning that his heart rate exceeded 120 beats per minute while he was sitting still. After contacting his doctor and receiving treatment, he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and reported that his heart rate later returned to lower levels. Known details: - The article reports that Pollard experienced a severe cough and later intense nausea and breathlessness. - He was on medication for leukemia when a doctor prescribed an antibiotic for a chest infection. - Pollard received an Apple Watch alert showing a resting heart rate over 120 bpm. - After contacting his doctor, he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heartbeat. - Pollard said his heart rate fell and his chemotherapy treatments were not affected. Summary: The Apple Watch alert prompted Pollard to seek medical attention and led to a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. He is reported to be recovering and his chemotherapy schedule was not impacted. Undetermined at this time.