Smartwatches Show Promise in Detecting Undiagnosed Heart Rhythm Issues
Smartwatches are increasingly demonstrating their potential as valuable tools for identifying previously undetected heart rhythm abnormalities, according to recent research. A new study found that the devices can detect heart rhythm issues four times more often than traditional monitoring methods, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
The research, conducted by Amsterdam UMC in collaboration with Cardiologie Centra Nederland, involved 437 patients. Half of the participants (219 individuals) wore a smartwatch with sensors capable of measuring changes in blood flow and electrical signals from the heart for at least 12 hours a day over a six-month period. The other half (218 patients) underwent traditional heart monitoring without a smartwatch.
The study revealed that 21 patients in the smartwatch group received a diagnosis of a rapid or irregular heartbeat during the six-month trial. Notably, 12 of these individuals were not experiencing any symptoms at the time of detection. In contrast, only five patients in the group without a smartwatch were diagnosed with a heart rhythm disorder.
“That means that we can treat these people, who often have no complaints yet, immediately,” said Michiel Winter, a researcher and cardiologist at Amsterdam UMC. This early detection is particularly important for identifying atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder that can increase the risk of blood clots and potentially lead to stroke.
The smartwatches used in the study included the Apple Watch Series 5 and 8, as well as other smartwatches equipped with the necessary sensors – a sensor to measure changes in blood flow under the skin and an ECG sensor to measure electrical signals from the heart. Traditional monitoring involved the use of chest patches connected to a portable ECG device, a method some patients find cumbersome and limited to a maximum of two weeks of continuous use.
According to researchers, the higher detection rate with smartwatches suggests that many individuals with undiagnosed heart rhythm problems may be unaware of their condition. “We see common for people not to experience that there is atrial fibrillation. And then it is almost impossible to determine what it is using the traditional method,” Winter explained. The findings underscore the growing role of wearable technology in proactive healthcare and the potential for improving patient outcomes through early detection of cardiovascular issues.
