FDA clears first medical accessory for the Apple Watch for heart checkup

The FDA just announced the clearing of the first medical Apple Watch accessory, AliveCor's KardiaBand, which uses the wearable's heart rate technology and an attached sensor to provide EKG readings on the fly.

An Apple Watch paired with a KardiaBand could provide users with an EKG reading in 30 seconds, detecting abnormal heart rhythm and atrial fibrillation and sending that information to a doctor for further analysis.

The $199 device is an unassuming black band that attaches to the Apple Watch like other band accessories. On the band right below the Apple Watch module is the KardiaBand's silver sensor where users place their finger to take a reading.

The Apple Watch's display shows the reading's data using a line graph that's similar to how the Apple Watch shows other heart rate data and informs the user if their heart rate is normal or abnormal.

UCJ, UNILORIN.