Pregnant woman credits Apple Watch for saving her and baby's lives

A pediatric cardiologist in California has shared her story of how her Apple Watch played a crucial role in saving her and her unborn baby's lives.

According to a report by ABC 10 News San Diego, Rachel Manalo, a practicing pediatric cardiologist, experienced severe heart palpitations during her pregnancy. Despite being a medical professional herself, she was unaware of an underlying heart condition.

Using her Apple Watch's electrocardiogram (ECG) feature, Manalo was able to detect an irregular heart rhythm. Concerned about the potential risks, she sought immediate medical attention.

“I would feel tired, short of breath. […] I click the EKG function on my watch. And then you place your finger on the crown and lay your arm still on the table,” Manalo told ABC 10 News.

Upon examination, doctors discovered that Manalo had developed a serious heart condition that required emergency surgery. An emergency C-section was performed to deliver her baby safely, and she underwent further treatment to address her heart problems.

Dr. Nguyen, the cardiologist who treated Manalo, explained the seriousness of the situation: "That type of heart issue, if not taken care of, can lead to a heart attack. And then you add on that she was pregnant," Dr. Nguyen explains. "We talked about everything. I said 'so when did you start noticing this irregular heart rate, you know, when did you have symptoms' And she said, 'you know, my Apple Watch told me.'"