I have been using iPhones since 2010 or so but have never owned an Apple Watch and really don't know where to start here. Was at a friend's house on Friday who has one and told me I really ought to get one since I now have AFib and it will monitor and record all instances of that. It does sound like a good idea to start wearing one if only for that purpose.

The incidents of AFib have lessened quite a bit after going on a CPAP a few years back but I still get a twinge every so often or a bout that may last from 1-10 minutes. I think I should have some sort of mechanism to keep track of this.

I have no idea what model I should get but these are two considerations/requirements:

1. It has to be a model that does ECG

2. It can't be huge like some of them appear to be, I've never been a fan of huge watches

If anyone here has an Apple Watch and can steer me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it!

Apple Watch 6-8 will all do the AFIB and have fall detection. We got the watch for my dad who is 87, was having issues with AFIB, the watch detected it, and it detected his falling BPM over time until it got so low that it set off an alarm warning him.

That got him to get the ambulance to take him in to the ER and they finally did the testing to find he had a 90+% blocked artery that I don't think they would have found.

He fell once and the fall detection went off, the tech works...

I got him the Apple Watch 6 off Woot, if you get on their list you'll get a notice of when they have inventory to sell...

I got the Series 9 a while back due to some heart issues. I don’t have Afib. My cardiologist said the Series 9 is great and between that and my implanted LinQ monitor he thinks I’m pretty well covered. . It will do ECG and monitor BP etc. Also the fall detection as mentioned above. I haven’t fallen but it sure responds when I slam my hand down against something in frustration. It will ask if you need help or are you ok. If you tap ok you have to confirm with another tap.
It is 1 5/8 tall by 1 1/2 wide.

I think mine’s an 8. I didn’t know I wanted one until I got one. It’s useful. I don’t have the health issues you’re describing, but they could rear their ugly head up any day now. Series 9 is out now and you can choose a 41mm case that’s not too big. I don’t have a big wrist at all, and the 41mm watch looks just fine. Hope your health concerns improve.

Just buy a Series 9 in the size you want. They're very light, very thin, and quite comfortable. I'd go 45mm for the bigger screen.

The health features and the data it provides make it very hard for me to go back to a normal watch.

Lots of Series 9 options on Apple refurb page right now. They are as new, same warranty no signs of wear and a 15% discount. Conveniently delivered to your door in 2-3 days with free shipping.

The larger screen (45mm vs 41mm) will make a little easier viewing but not too much bigger overall. Thickness is the same between the two.

The “Ultra” is a bit bigger, but I really don’t consider it too big.


Veteran/government history will save you a few more bucks on top of refurb prices.

Ultra for me. Huge improvement over Series 5. Just buy one, series 9 or Ultra. Don't look back.

I wish member flashguy had been wearing an Apple Watch when he fell. Three days outside before they found him, as I recall.

Series 9 is the current model. Really, the only question is the size. For guys, 45mm is probably the better fit.

I see lots of people rave about the Ultra, but unless you’re a serious athlete, IMO I don’t think it’s worth the extra $$.

Earlier this year, I also bought the Ultra. I am in my seventies and the various features like fall detection and convinced me to buy one. I mentioned to a fellow senior who then went out and bought one. I have seen no Apple advertising directed at seniors, but they are a logical market segment. FYI for veterans and retired military Apple has a discount program.

I had bought my wife an SE model, and she was wearing it the one time (as far as we know) she had AF. It did detect and report it, even though you can't do an ECG on it.
We've now upgraded her to AW 9; both the 8 and the 9 have all the goodies the Apple Watch offers, and both can be gotten in smaller and larger sizes.
It's good to be able to do an ECG at any time--much more convenient than a Kardia Mobile device, which we also used to document her AF on the day she had it.

One cardiologist she's seen wants her on Eliquis for life; the other thinks--based on a medical video we both saw that encourages this idea--that monitoring for AF with an Apple Watch, and basing starting Eliquis on the Apple Watch monitoring, could greatly decrease the risk of cerebral hemorrhage, a known risk of "blood thinners". It's always a matter of risk vs. benefit. If she were to begin having repeated longer episodes of AF, or if she were to develop hypertension so her risk of stroke is higher, she would need to go on lifelong Eliquis.

If you want to save a bit, the refurb devices from Macofalltrades are a great choice.

Here’s a Series 7, Very Good condition for $224.

https://www.macofalltrades.com...watch-series-7-45mm/

This thread spurred me to buy an Apple Watch. I did that yesterday. I live alone and have impaired sense of balance. If I fell and couldn’t arise I’d be in bad shape if my iPhone wasn’t in reach.

My Apple Watch detects falls, and reports them to my emergency contacts. And it enables me to make a call from my iPhone, even if the phone is two rooms away (via Bluetooth).

I bought this one:
Apple Watch Series 9 GPS, 41mm Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Braided Solo Loop ($449.00 + sales tax).

It has ECG and AFIB detection capabilities, although I don’t need those features, as I have no heart problems.

The more expensive (and larger) Ultra 2 model will serve as a cell phone by itself, but I don’t need that capability. Especially since I’d have to pay for an additional line from T-Mobile.

It’s an amazing device. I’ve barely scratched the surface in discovering its capabilities.

Oh yeah, it also tells time. With a plethora of digital and analog “face” options.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:

The more expensive (and larger) Ultra 2 model will serve as a cell phone by itself

You don't need the Ultra for this. The Series 9 has the same capability in some models. The Series 9 is available with GPS only, or for an additional $100 MSRP, with GPS and cellular.

Yeah, lots of faces.

My series 4 is dying.

I am waiting until the Series 10 comes out in September to replace it.

It should have some medical improvements but they have not announced which ones.

They usually try to have something new for the tenth anniversary.

As is so often the case on this marvelous board, thank you for this timely thread.
My family has asked what I wanted for upcoming 70th, and this thread has helped narrow down previously frustrating research. I think it’s gonna be SE 10 45mm.

I got the series 9 in the big screen. Go big or go home. I actually got a better deal on Prime, even compared to the gov't discount thru Apple.

quote:

Originally posted by BigJoe:
I got the series 9 in the big screen. Go big or go home.
<snip>

Different strokes for different folks.

What a current model Apple Watch does when it detects a fall. Quite impressive.

https://support.apple.com/en-u...mergency%20services.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Pipe Smoker,

I'm on my third apple watch. I currently have the Ultra cellular one. Its my first one with the with the cellular line attached. I didn't know how useful it would be. The ability to go for a run or my kids recitals and the phone behind has been great. I suggest getting the cellular version of whatever you decide. I think I pay 15 extra a month to have the cell line attached to it. Its worth every penny