Apple has announced that it is rolling out a series of new heart health resources in February (American Heart Month) to support users’ health journeys in the US to stay moving and informed. Additionally, the company’s Heart and Movement Study is sharing preliminary lifestyle trends analyzed over the past year.
Marking Heart Month, Apple is offering custom compilations across Apple Fitness+, the App Store, the Apple TV app, Apple Podcasts, and Apple Books.
“We’re strong believers at Apple that if you can empower people with information about their health, you can change the trajectory of their well-being,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer. “Keeping your heart healthy requires a holistic approach — something we’ve focused on since the first generation of Apple Watch with the inclusion of activity and workout apps, in addition to heart rate. Today, people of all ages can use our products and services to learn more about staying healthy, work toward their personal goals, and have a lot of fun along the way.”
Apple Watch users will find that a new Heart Month Activity Challenge is available. The challenge is designed to help people of all fitness levels put their health first by completing 30 minutes in their Exercise ring on February 14 to earn a special award. Also starting February 14, Fitness+ will feature a special section of 30-minute energizing workouts that will motivate users to get their weekly minutes of exercise.
Users can find a collection of apps in the App Store that will help them take care of their cardiovascular health by providing valuable insights into their heart rate and activity levels. Promoted apps include HeartWatch (Tantsissa), Gentler Streak (Gentler Stories), and Zones (Flask).
Apple Books is offering a collection of titles that focus on heart health, including books on heart science, emotional well-being, and healthy eating.
Apple TV app viewers will find the app is featuring a collection of movies and shows on heart disease, heart science, and healthy living.
Apple Podcasts is offering a curated group of popular podcasts on the Browse tab featuring medical experts that help listeners learn more about their health and the steps they can take to improve overall, fitness, mindfulness, and well-being.
Customers can score extra savings if they upgrade their Apple Watch in February, Apple is offering extra savings in select countries on Apple Watch trade-ins.
Apple also offered preliminary findings of its activity data shared from the Apple Heart and Movement Study. Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in collaboration with the American Heart Association and Apple, analyzed 18 million workouts logged using Apple Watch during the pandemic.
Study participants tallied their activity minutes by walking, cycling, and running the most. Participants ages 65 and older were actually more likely to hang in there and stay on track when compared to their younger counterparts, meeting their goal of at least 150 minutes of activity per week.
Across genders and ages, participants with above-average Cardio Fitness levels averaged more than 200 minutes of activity per week, while those with high Cardio Fitness averaged more than 300 minutes of activity per week.
For more details about Apple and American Heart Month, view the full press release.