Canada Approves watchOS 9's AFib History Feature

AFib History, one of watchOS 9's new health features, this week received regulatory approval in Canada, seemingly making it the first country to do so outside the United States ahead of the release of watchOS 9 later this year.

watchos 9 afib history
AFib History allows individuals diagnosed with atrial fibrillation to view an estimate of how frequently their heart is in this type of arrhythmia, according to Apple. The feature is intended for individuals aged 22 years or older who have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.

Health Canada yesterday approved the AFib History for both the Apple Watch and the iPhone, regulatory filings show. Canada appears to be the second country to approve the new feature after the United States, where it received FDA clearance after being validated in a clinical study. Last month, Apple said the average difference in weekly measurements between the Apple Watch and an FDA-cleared reference device was less than one percent.

The AFib History feature could prove useful when a patient receives an ablation treatment for chronic atrial fibrillation, but the treatment is unsuccessful at first attempt and the patient continues to experience atrial fibrillation.

Upon previewing watchOS 9, Apple said that AFib History is not currently approved in all countries or regions, so availability of the feature will likely be limited at launch. That being said, there is still time for other regulatory authorities to approve AFib History before the official release of watchOS 9 later this year.

Thanks, Jen!

Tag: Canada
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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Top Rated Comments

TVreporter Avatar
36 months ago
Just in time for the heart attacks that will follow when Apple announces the Canadian prices of the next iPhones and iMacs.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BootsWalking Avatar
36 months ago

Very pathetic ways of thinking. How sad. Attempts to save lives gets turned into the usual Apple hate and cynicism. Atrial fib can cause thrombus to form in the left atrium which can then break loose, travel to the left ventrical, out the aorta, up the carotid arteries, causing a huge stroke and a life of misery, if you survive. Hard to believe people like to joke about this. Actually, it's not hard to believe anymore.
I can't speak for the other poster you quoted but mine was in obvious jest. I praised the feature. Perhaps stop seeking out opportunities to be outraged.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BootsWalking Avatar
36 months ago
Awesome feature that will help a lot of people manage their heart health. Apple benefits as well because facilitating health and longevity guarantees your customers will stay alive to buy more of your products ?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
_Spinn_ Avatar
36 months ago
Very cool to see that Apple is working to get additional health features approved.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sir_Macs_A_Lot Avatar
36 months ago
Apple has come a long way in providing Health related apps on the Watch that are very useful. Don't stop now. I can see reliable blood sugar monitoring just over the horizon.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HiVolt Avatar
36 months ago
Holy crap its a miracle we'll get a launch day feature thats typically reserved for USA.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)