The problem with the new Apple Watch heart rate monitor

It's... complicated. No Images? [Click here]( IT'S DEBATABLE The new Apple Watch has an EKG, but maybe that's not as great as it seems The Apple Watch (and other fitness trackers) have been able to track our heart rates via LED lights for years. And there are [so]( [many]( [stories]( about that feature saving lives. The new Series 4 Apple Watch does the same but in bigger and better ways: It has an electrocardiogram that uses a current to measure heart rate with extreme accuracy. More importantly, it's FDA approved, which means it can officially be considered a medical device. The good news This new tech has the potential to save even more lives. Obviously, that's good. For people with existing conditions, in particular, this Apple Watch is likely to become a really great tool for monitoring their heart rate and keeping tabs on their condition. Plus, the Apple Watch will be gathering data on heart arrhythmias from lots of people, which could help advance research in major ways. The bad news The Apple Watch monitor will alert users every time it senses an atrial fibrillation, which is essentially an irregular heartbeat. The problem is not every irregular heartbeat is worrisome (especially in young and healthy people), so this feature could cause a [WebMD-style panic]( on a very large scale. Giving people the means to test and diagnose themselves is great in theory, but in practice, it could result in overdiagnosis and overtreatment, which can cause long-term issues (see: [prostate cancer](). And in a health-care system as expensive as ours, unnecessary treatment isn't something many people can afford. ([The Verge](, [The Atlantic]() Try this Mac and cheese is pretty much the ultimate comfort food, right? Here's the secret to a better-for-you sauce: Mix 1/4 cup hot water, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 4 ounces cheddar, 4 ounces fontina, and a dash of hot sauce. 🧀 [Greatist]( YOU SO TOTALLY ROCK You made a better first impression than you think you did. (Nice!) Strangers are stressful, small talk is stressful, and most situations where we have to make a good first impression are stressful (hello, job interviews and first dates). Pretty much everyone analyzes their own performance after meeting someone new, and pretty much everyone underestimates how much that stranger liked them. Remember this as you're trying to build new relationships: Other people probably want to be friends with you as much as you want to be friends with them. It'll make taking initiative much less awkward. Trust us. ([Science Daily]() EDITOR'S PICK Is this... the perfect sneaker? Every season I wear the new things I love on such heavy rotation, they become a legit uniform. Year after year, the common denominator of this Steve Jobs-ian fashion strategy is a pair of sneakers, the world's most perfect shoe. But the most perfect sneaker? Elusive. It's gotta be work appropriate, comfortable enough to wear for miles, and stylish enough for a ride-or-die commitment. It's a tall order. The geniuses at Rothy's heard my sneaker prayers And this week, they answered them. They just launched the comfiest, most breathable, seamless [sneaker]( in colors so cheerful, I want to buy them all. And like [Rothy's OG flats](, they're made from recycled, washable materials. That means they come off for only as long as it takes to throw 'em into the washing machine—then right back into the uniform they go. -- Dria de Botton Barnes, editor-in-chief [SHOP NOW]( LOL EVERYTHING IS A LIE BPA-free plastic isn't as danger-free as we once thought At this point, BPA is almost [universally considered bad for you](, which makes accessing BPA-free plastics much easier than it used to be. The problem? BPA-free plastic might not be less dangerous than the normal kind. Basically, scientists replaced BPA with other chemicals that look, act, and sound a lot like BPA does (some commonly used ones: BPS, BPF, and BPAF). We suppose it's not that surprising they affect our bodies similarly, but it is kind of alarming. In the short term, your best bet is to avoid clear plastics with recycling numbers 3, 6, and 7, and to stop putting plastic in the dishwasher or microwave, which can cause it to leach chemicals faster. Long term, scientists need to find a better solution (though we guess that one's on them, not you). ([National Geographic]() SPONSORED Freezer meals for the modern person Frozen food used to mean chemical-laden, extra sugar-added, microwavable meals that, despite crazy-high calorie counts, never felt satisfying. But we said "used to" for a reason. Daily Harvest reinvented frozen meals, and we are so, so glad they did. Think whole-food smoothies, soups, Harvest Bowls, and more, all packed with superfoods and organic veggies Sign up for a weekly or monthly plan online, and Daily Harvest will send you perfectly portioned cups. Put 'em in your freezer, and when you're ready for the quickest healthy meal of your life, just add liquid and blend, heat, or soak. (And don't worry—instructions for each are on the cups themselves, so you can't mess it up.) Daily Harvest gives you all the benefits of meal prepping without the actual prep part, so really, it's a dream come true. If you're a new customer, you can [score $25 off your first box]( with code GREATIST. Wowza, thanks Daily Harvest! [GET $25 OFF]( HERE'S THE REST It's time to get your flu shot (yes, already) 💉 [CBS]( Related: Flu shots are definitely not something you should be scared of 💉💉💉 [Greatist]( Your (very) dumbed-down guide to being better at parties 🕺 [New York Times]( The "three-and-three" rule will tell you if your poop schedule is normal or not 🚽 [Tonic]( Mirror is a very expensive gadget that makes at-home workouts way better 🏋️ ♀️ [Well+Good]( For $150 a month, a primary care doctor can come to you. Is this the future? 👩 ⚕️ [Fast Company]( Well Now is Greatist's roundup of all the health stories you were too busy to read this week. [Sign up]( to make sure you keep getting it. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Pinterest]( © Greatist 2018 Greatist, Inc. 30 Vandam St., Floor 3, New York, NY 10013 [Forward]( [Unsubscribe](