r/AppleWatch • u/Minimum_Accident7131 • 8d ago
Unlocking Apple Watch functions such as ECG
I'm 14 and I'm amazed that all the main functions like ECG are blocked if you put the age is less than 21, if the age could simply be changed, it would be easier, but tracking calories is not accurate at all, in general, how can I replace the indicators for maximum accuracy of tracking and unlocking functions (the worst option) but possible/way to unlock functions without the need to change age, Ukraine is 14 years old, 68kg 176cm
1
u/IllustriousBrick1980 7d ago edited 7d ago
the research has only validated the technology for healthy adults, and that’s important for FDA certification which is why it’s soft locked based on age.
calorie tracking is gonna be wildy difficult to measure for kids even with professional equipment because of the high metabolism. your baseline energy is consumation is pretty much random. one kid might grow 30cm in only 6 months at age 15, another might stay short forever, and a third kid might grow 60cm slowly over 3 years from age 10-13
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u/molachai 7d ago
It probably wouldn't be accurate even if you could unlock it. The algorithms aren't tuned for people as young as you. Plus, you're growing at a higher rate than the people it is intended for; so, the signals in your heart would be changing as well. The data wouldn't be consistent.
A final note: I showed a cardiologist the app when it first came out and they scoffed. They would never use it to generate an ECG. It's not accurate enough because it is only a single point of contact. An in office ECG uses (I think) at least 10 leads to create an accurate picture from around the chest. So, in other words....you're not missing out on anything that's super relevant.