Apple Watch smartwatches will get a new feature for cardiology patients in China

On December 26, 2025, the China National Medical Products Administration registered Apple medical software for recording mobile atrial fibrillation. This means that Apple Watch users in mainland China will soon be able to access the atrial fibrillation burden tracking feature, which is planned for deployment in upcoming operating system updates.

Why this feature is important for 20 million people

Among China’s adult population, atrial fibrillation is prevalent in 1.6%, which is about 20 million patients. For those over 60 years old, the incidence rate reaches 6%. This condition is often called the “silent killer” because many people live with it without realizing its severity.

The main issue is that atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke by 4–5 times compared to an average person. Over time, without proper treatment, the likelihood of developing heart failure and thrombosis also increases. Despite this, many patients underestimate the danger, and the healthcare system is in urgent need of tools for early diagnosis and continuous monitoring.

How the feature works: from “alert” to “heart diary”

Unlike simple arrhythmia warnings, the new Apple Watch feature is specifically designed for people who have already received a confirmed medical diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (users aged 22 and over). It is not an alert system but a means of continuous tracking.

Smartwatches will analyze heart rhythm over extended periods and determine what percentage of time the heart was in fibrillation. This metric is called “fibrillation burden.” Every Monday, users will receive weekly reports, allowing them to track their condition’s dynamics.

The connection between life and health in one app

A notable feature is the ability to correlate fibrillation data with other health parameters: workout duration, sleep quality, weight, alcohol consumption, and meditation time. This comprehensive approach helps patients understand which lifestyle habits influence the stability of their heart rhythm.

Apple Health Vice President stated that the accuracy of the company’s watch measurements differs from FDA-approved medical devices by less than 1%. While this does not replace clinical diagnosis, such data provides valuable information both for the patient and their doctor during comprehensive examinations.

Bridging the gap between diagnosis and management

Before this feature’s implementation, smart devices performed well in detecting potential issues early. However, after diagnosis, many built-in functions became limited, even though that is when people need the most help.

The “Atrial Fibrillation History” fills this critical gap. Instead of causing anxiety, it offers a practical tool for disease management, enabling patients and healthcare providers to obtain an objective picture of treatment effectiveness and the impact of lifestyle changes.

Standardization of health functions in the industry

Apple has set high standards for medical functions on its devices. For example, the hearing enhancement feature in AirPods is only available after the user passes a hearing test and confirms hearing loss.

This stance promotes the development of the entire smart device industry. Competitors are actively adopting this approach — last year, Huawei introduced a series of watches with similar fibrillation burden tracking features. Many experts do not see this as copying but as progress — when different manufacturers implement similar solutions, the entire user segment benefits.

Wearing a smartwatch practically every day makes it an ideal candidate for continuous cardiological monitoring. Although the data may not be perfectly accurate compared to clinical equipment, they help track trends and assess real progress in treatment and disease management.