Smartwatch Heart Sensors Prove Highly Accurate in Detecting Atrial Fibrillation
A near-94 percent accuracy rate claimed in a major Chinese study — but only half of those warned sought clinical confirmation.
A simple application installed on an off-the-shelf smartwatch is enough to accurately detect atrial fibrillation and recommend healthcare intervention, according to a study of 2.8 million participants presented this week.
"Digital technologies make it possible to increase general awareness about AFib and its risk factors as well as to improve prevention of AFib and its complications," says Yutao Guo, MD, professor, and lead author of the study. "With the global surge of wearable technology for AFib screening, especially in the challenging setting of the COVID-19 pandemic, the present study provides a possible solution to help people identify possible signs of AFib and get diagnosed and treated earlier."
The study investigated the use of photoplethysmography, the light-based sensing system built into many smartwatches and fitness wearables for monitoring pulse rate and blood flow, for detecting atrial fibrillation — a heart rhythm disorder, which makes it around five times more likely a subject will suffer a stroke if left untreated.
Using a cohort of 2.8 million people installing the application on off-the-shelf Huawei wearables over a four-year period starting in 2018, the study found that 12,244 users were notified of suspected atrial fibrillation. Of those, 5,227 took the recommendation of having their heart checked out — and an impressive 93.8 percent were confirmed as having the condition.
The study also found that subjects screened for sleep apnea were around 1.5 times more likely to have atrial fibrillation as well. "This consumer-led AFib screening approach highlights the increased risk for detecting prevalent AFib episodes over time and the need for modification of obstructive sleep apnea and other risk factors that increase AFib susceptibility," claims Guo.
"Future studies will be needed to move toward using 'smart' technology to help manage AFib and the risk factors that increase AFib susceptibility, as well as to evaluate attitudes and concerns related to this digital health tool."
The software used in the study should be directly applicable to other smartwatch and fitness wearable devices which use photoplethysmography, the team claims. The study was presented at the American College of Cardiology 71st Annual Scientific Session this weekend, but has not yet been published publicly.