Louisiana Clinic Using Apple Watch and HealthKit to Help Treat Hypertension

[Maura]

AppleInsider reports that a Louisiana healthcare provider is using the Apple Watch combined with HealthKit and other fitness apps as part of its hypertension treatment program.

The three participants in Ochsner Health System’s trial have all been given an Apple Watch for free, although they are expected to splash out on the wireless blood-pressure cuff. They are then trained in how to use the watch in conjunction with HealthKit and other apps.

The HealthKit data is sent directly to Ochsner’s electronic medical records system, which, according to Dr. Richard Milani, helps the clinic to diagnose problems more accurately and sooner than before.

“We’re only getting a couple of readings a year on you,” Milani told the Times-Picayune newspaper, which first reported on the story. “We could probably do better if we get more information, and we can course-correct faster. People who do take their (blood pressure) readings will say ‘I forgot them at home.’ This keeps track of it for you.”

The clinic hopes to increase the trial to 30 participants before too long.

Photo credit: The Times-Picayune.

Source: http://appleinsider.com/articles/15...r-in-louisiana-hypertension-treatment-program