I just tried on the new Apple Watch and was immediately impressed.
I put the 42 mm space gray Apple Sport version with an aluminum case and black strap on first. The display was crisp despite the bright sunlight that was streaming into Palo Alto store. The Apple employee tapped the watch twice and it went into demo mode. It scrolled through a bunch of its functions including various displays, messaging options and of course the heart rate monitor. I was fascinated and ready to run out the store with my new toy. I also tried on the Apple Watch version with the stainless steel case and the Milanese band. (See video below). That version was a little heavier than the sport version but the band was simply sublime. It has a magnetic clasp and can be easily adjusted. It felt like a high end watch you could wear out to a fancy event.
Both of these watches are expensive ($399 and $699). Are they worth it? I am not sure just yet. I am in the process of trying to figure out if I will order one. You can't buy in the store and it is now back ordered online until June or perhaps even July. I do want to replace my chest strap heart rate monitor that is hooked to my iPhone. Glacing down at my watch would be a much simpler way to figure out if I am at my target zone especially during a bike ride. I can also see how it would be useful for patients who need to closely monitor their heart rates during exercise because of its simplicity.
Let me know what you think if you have tried it on and if the watch will have any specific medical or exercise applications that will be significantly useful.
Study Shows Benefits of Adult Stem Cells for Heart Disease
"In the 12-month Phase II, double-blind trial, subjects' own purified stem cells, called CD34+ cells, were injected into their hearts in an effort to spur the growth of small blood vessels that make up the microcirculation of the heart muscle....
The largest national stem cell study for heart disease showed the first evidence that transplanting a potent form of adult stem cells into the heart muscle of subjects with severe angina results in less pain and an improved ability to walk."
This is well done and interesting investigation into how your own body's cells can improve function in tissue that was once thought not to be able to regenerate. As we investigate deeper into stem cells and other treatments, we are likely to continue to challenge many long held beliefs about human physiology.
