Apple Watch's crazy response to miracle NFL finish
The miracle finish between the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints in Monday's (AEDT) NFL playoffs game was so crazy that Apple Watches thought fans were having heart attacks.
A see-sawing end to the game was capped off on a thrilling final play, when the hometown Vikings scored a 60 yard touchdown to win the high-stakes encounter against all odds.
As Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs raced away to score, fans of the franchise went nuts, and Apple Watches were worried.
Many fans reported receiving an alert from their smart watch to warn them their heart rate was at a dangerous level for someone who appears to be inactive.
"Apple Watch detected a heart rate that rose above 120 BPM while you appeared to be inactive during the 10-minute period…" the message read.
If I was wearing an Apple Watch tonight, you’d be planning my funeral. Certainly flat lined and spiked. #vikings #skol #SkolVikings #skolchant pic.twitter.com/u3dVpJbnOE
— TC Huddle (@TCHuddle) January 15, 2018
My #AppleWatch keeping an eye out for me at the end of that #Vikings game. Two alerts. pic.twitter.com/r2ynJEtX9b
— Mike VanDelinder (@mikethefifth) January 15, 2018
My Apple Watch told me I was having a heart attack right after that play and when the game was over 😂 I couldn’t catch my breath. I swear all the Vikings fans died 3 times and came back to life. #MinneapolisMiracle #Skol @Vikings
— Vestanna (@VestannaC) January 15, 2018
Intuitive functions such as the one reported above has meant the Apple Watch has helped save lives in the past.
James Green, 28, realised something was wrong when he received an alert from his Heart Watch app, notifying him that his resting heart was steadily rising, even when sitting at his desk.
Doctors went on to find a "potentially fatal" blood clot forming in his lungs.
The Brookyln man said when he bought the watch two years ago, he never thought it would save his life.
Never thought a stupid lil wrist computer I bought 2 years ago would save my life. Saw my ❤️ rate go up, ended up being a pulmonary embolism pic.twitter.com/r97uRcX0En
— renata’s eyepatch (@_jamestgreen) October 13, 2017
“I got an alert from Heart Watch that my heart rate was continually above my resting heart rate of 54, even when I was just sitting at my desk," Mr Green told The Telegraph.
“That along with other symptoms I was having was enough data I needed to act on it, and realise it wasn’t a panic attack (since I have severe generalised anxiety), that it was something more.”
After a CT scan highlighted the clots, Mr Green was rushed to hospital where he was placed on a blood thinner drip to reverse the clot damage.
Thanks! Also wow! This is so fantastic that you are ok. Humbled to have played a part. Wishing you a rapid recovery & best of future health.
— HeartWatch (@HeartWatchApp) October 14, 2017
The app’s creator, David Walsh, said it was “truly humbling” to have helped save Mr Green’s life.
“Over the last few years, the stories I hear about how the app and the Apple Watch have changed people's lives and sometimes saved their lives are truly heartwarming,” he told The Telegraph.