4 A Cape Cod Football Player

An elevated heart rate is a pretty typical result of strenuous exercise. But sometimes, it can be indicative of something much more dangerous. That was the case when an Apple Watch alerted a Cape Cod teen to a dangerous situation while playing football.

Paul Houle Jr. was at a pre-season practice when his Apple Watch alerted him that his heart rate climbed to 145 beats per minute. While that could be a normal heart rate after exercise for Houle, his heart rate never went back down. When taken to the hospital, Houle was diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis — a condition that could lead to muscle death. In a later interview, said he was “very grateful” for his Apple Watch.