Apple Watch alerts woman to leukemia diagnosis just in time

In New Zealand, psychiatrist Amanda Faulkner experienced unusual symptoms such as fatigue and increased body temperature during a particularly hot summer. Initially, she attributed these feelings to external factors like the heat or potential onset of perimenopause. However, her Apple Watch consistently alerted her to a significant increase in her resting heart rate, which skyrocketed from her typical 55 beats per minute to the 90s. This worrying trend prompted her to seek medical attention sooner than she might have otherwise considered. After undergoing various tests, doctors diagnosed her with acute myeloid leukemia, an aggressive form of blood cancer. Health professionals warned that had Amanda delayed her visit by even 48 hours, her prognosis could have been dire, potentially leading to a fatal outcome. Her experience underscores the capacity of wearable technology to function as early detection systems that motivate users to take proactive health measures. Beyond just monitoring metrics such as heart rate and sleep patterns, devices like the Apple Watch can provide vital insights into users' health status. Amanda has since received visits from hospital peers who shared their own cancer stories with her, forming a supportive community that resonates with the challenges of facing severe illness. Even though Amanda is not currently able to perform her professional duties as a psychiatrist, these interactions have been meaningful, allowing her to provide support to others. Additionally, Amanda's situation serves as an important call to action for individuals, especially women, to trust their instincts when feeling unwell, and to advocate for their health. Many women often find their symptoms overlooked or dismissed in clinical settings. Although wearables are not classified as medical-grade tools and can sometimes yield false positives or overlook critical conditions, their consistent monitoring and ability to alert users are changing the paradigm of health management. Nonetheless, there are valid concerns regarding privacy and the security of sensitive health information being digitally transmitted and stored. The importance of effective communication between devices and users, along with understanding the potential limitations, cannot be understated. Amanda Faulkner's story reveals the remarkable role these small devices can play in saving lives by catching warning signs early, ultimately encouraging users to take action for their health.