'Smartwatch heart alerts helped save my life'

A man has credited his smartwatch for "essentially saving my life" after it detected an irregular heart rhythm.

Rich Dyer, co-founder of ticketing website Skiddle, from Garstang in Lancashire, said he woke on Saturday "feeling a bit off" and his heart was "a bit fluttery".

Dyer's Apple Watch showed an Atrial Fibrillation (AF) notification a couple of times, which he said he initially disregarded.

At about 21:00 BST, after "a few high blood pressure readings" as well, his wife convinced him to go to hospital to get checked.

Doctors used a defibrillator to restart his heart and he told BBC Radio Lancashire he believed his smartwatch had "essentially saved my life".

Dyer had gone to Lancaster Royal Infirmary, where doctors consulted his watch data as well as taking their own ECG readings.

"They told me my blood pressure was OK but my heartbeats were all over the place," said Dyer, who recently celebrated his company's 25th birthday.

He added: "The doctor told me, 'the best we thing we can do is sedate you and then jumpstart you'."

Dyer said the medic "was really interested in the watch data and with AF if you spot it within 24 hours then they can act on it instantly".

He is now awaiting an appointment with a cardiologist.

Reflecting on how he felt now, he said: "I feel rather wiped out and definitely taking it easy for a few days.

"All is good enough."

Dyer thanked his wife for looking after him and Lancaster Royal Infirmary for "incredible care and attention" and Apple for "providing essentially life-saving information" through the watch.

"Definitely going to keep mine charged from now on," he added.

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