July, USA: A Cincinnati man is crediting his Apple Watch with helping save his life after it automatically alerted emergency services when he collapsed outside his home, leading doctors to discover blood clots in his lungs. Mohammad Islam collapsed while taking out the trash after experiencing worsening symptoms, including shortness of breath and difficulty walking.
The smartwatch's Fall Detection feature called 911 after detecting the fall and prolonged immobility, allowing paramedics to transport him to the University of Cincinnati (UC) Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism, a potentially life-threatening condition if left untreated.
According to People, Islam said he initially thought he was coming down with a minor illness. Feeling unwell, he called off work and spent the day at home. As the day progressed, he developed pain near one ear, stomach discomfort, shortness of breath, and increasing difficulty walking even short distances.
Concerned about his symptoms, he visited a local clinic. After an evaluation, healthcare providers were unable to determine the cause of his illness and prescribed medication before sending him home.
Later that day, Islam stepped outside to take out the trash when he suddenly lost consciousness.
"When I came to, I was soaked in sweat and couldn't get up," he recalled in an interview with Local 12.
At the time of the incident, his wife was away from home and his daughters, who live several hours away, were not nearby to help.
Islam later learned that his Apple Watch had detected the fall and activated its emergency response feature after he remained motionless.
He said the device had previously asked whether he had fallen while he was doing yard work or accidentally bumped his wrist, but he had always dismissed the notifications. He did not realize the watch could automatically contact emergency services if he became unresponsive after a hard fall.
According to Apple, compatible Apple Watch models equipped with Fall Detection can detect a hard fall. If the wearer remains immobile for about one minute and does not respond to prompts on the screen, the watch automatically places a call to emergency services and shares the user's location with designated emergency contacts.
For Islam, that automatic call proved critical.
"I never realized this watch was going to save my life," he told Local 12.
Paramedics transported Islam to UC Medical Center, where doctors determined he had blood clots in his lungs, a condition known as pulmonary embolism (PE).
Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot, most commonly originating in the deep veins of the legs, travels to the lungs and blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. The condition can reduce blood flow, impair oxygen exchange, place strain on the heart, and become life-threatening without prompt treatment.
Islam said the diagnosis came as a complete surprise.
At the time of the interviews, doctors had not identified what caused the blood clots. He is receiving blood-thinning medication to treat the existing clots and reduce the risk of new ones forming while physicians continue investigating the underlying cause.
Islam said the Apple Watch had been a gift from his daughters, who also bought one for their mother.
After the incident, he said they frequently call to make sure he is wearing the device.
His daughters were deeply emotional after learning that the smartwatch they had given their father had automatically summoned help when no one else was around.
Pulmonary embolism can be difficult to recognize because its symptoms often resemble those of less serious illnesses. Common warning signs include:
Sudden shortness of breath
Chest pain that may worsen with deep breathing
Rapid heartbeat
Lightheadedness or fainting
Cough, sometimes with blood
Unexplained fatigue
Anyone experiencing sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or unexplained collapse should seek immediate medical attention, as early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve outcomes.
Although wearable devices are not designed to diagnose medical conditions, health and safety features such as Fall Detection, Emergency SOS, heart rate monitoring, and irregular rhythm notifications can help users receive timely medical attention during emergencies.
Reference:
1. Cleveland Clinic. “Pulmonary Embolism (PE): Signs, Symptoms & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic. Last reviewed April 20, 2026. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17400-pulmonary-embolism
(Rh/ARC/MSM)