4 ms·

> It's a feature that isn't important or necessary for the vast majority of people. Do you have data on this? I think it's a pretty big deal.

BenFranklin100 3y ago
If one has a serious health condition that affects blood oxygen levels, pulse oximetry can be useful. For the average healthy person, the medical value is very little to nil. Uses of pulse oximetry: https://www.healthline.com/health/pulse-oximetry#purpose-and-uses https://www.healthline.com/health/pulse-oximetry#purpose-and... Most of the above conditions listed above occur in very sick people already under close medical supervision, with the exception of asthma. But even in asthma, pulse oximetry has limitations: https://asthma.net/living/lets-talk-pulse-oximetry https://asthma.net/living/lets-talk-pulse-oximetry I think it’s cool the Apple Watch has this, but it’s mostly a gimmick as far as I can tell.
- imoverclocked 3y ago
  There is also value in monitoring stats over time. ie: knowing what's normal for you and even a normal range throughout the day allows you to identify changes before you get to a state where a hospital is needed. On the non-medical side, I fly small, unpressurized airplanes and altitude can definitely have an effect on blood oxygen levels. Having this data collected in the background as I fly or do other activities is valuable to me despite not having any of the issues presented from the link above.
  - SoftTalker 3y ago
    Valuable as in "satisfies my curiosity" or valuable in some actionable way?
    - imoverclocked 3y ago
      I admit, I definitely have curiosity. I have not had to act on the data yet but if I were to get a low O2 alert while flying I would definitely open a window and descend ASAP. Depending on the circumstances I might also consider landing.
- jquery 3y ago
  Anyone can get pneumonia and it's useful for telling if you need urgent medical care. That's no gimmick.

BenFranklin100 3y ago

If one has a serious health condition that affects blood oxygen levels, pulse oximetry can be useful. For the average healthy person, the medical value is very little to nil. Uses of pulse oximetry: https://www.healthline.com/health/pulse-oximetry#purpose-and-uses https://www.healthline.com/health/pulse-oximetry#purpose-and... Most of the above conditions listed above occur in very sick people already under close medical supervision, with the exception of asthma. But even in asthma, pulse oximetry has limitations: https://asthma.net/living/lets-talk-pulse-oximetry https://asthma.net/living/lets-talk-pulse-oximetry I think it’s cool the Apple Watch has this, but it’s mostly a gimmick as far as I can tell.

imoverclocked 3y ago
There is also value in monitoring stats over time. ie: knowing what's normal for you and even a normal range throughout the day allows you to identify changes before you get to a state where a hospital is needed. On the non-medical side, I fly small, unpressurized airplanes and altitude can definitely have an effect on blood oxygen levels. Having this data collected in the background as I fly or do other activities is valuable to me despite not having any of the issues presented from the link above.
- SoftTalker 3y ago
  Valuable as in "satisfies my curiosity" or valuable in some actionable way?
  - imoverclocked 3y ago
    I admit, I definitely have curiosity. I have not had to act on the data yet but if I were to get a low O2 alert while flying I would definitely open a window and descend ASAP. Depending on the circumstances I might also consider landing.
jquery 3y ago
Anyone can get pneumonia and it's useful for telling if you need urgent medical care. That's no gimmick.