Smart watches: an algorithm that detects the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia is presented

Fitbit has received the green light from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to integrate into its watches and bracelets a new PPG algorithm, which allows the user to identify cases of atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Googleowner of Fitbit, has explained in a blog post that the atrial fibrillation affects the normal rhythm of the heart and who suffer it close to 33.5 million people worldwide. These, in addition, have five times more risk of suffering a heart attack. It is also the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia.

Atrial fibrillation can be difficult to detect, since it does not usually have symptoms and presents episodes that appear as soon as they disappear. In this way, many people who suffer from it do not realize that they have it.

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In order to monitor these changes on unnoticeable occasions, Fitbit’s PPG PPG algorithm has been applied, capable of measuring heart rate even when the user is sleeping.

Fitbit Versa 2 is one of the most recent models of the firm. (Fitbit/)

This new Fitbit algorithm is the result of a medical trial that, under the name of Fitbit Heart Study, was launched in 2020 and was carried out among 455,699 participants over five months virtually.

After collecting a series of data, they were presented to the American Heart Association (American Heart Association) in 2021. Their results concluded that the algorithm was able to correctly detect 98 percent of atrial fibrillation episodes.

As the company explained, this new algorithm works as a sensor capable of detecting changes in the volume of blood pumped by the heart throughout the body as it expands and contracts.

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In this regard, it not only determines the heart rate, but also analyzes it for irregularities and potential signs that atrial fibrillation is occurring or is at risk.

Therefore, in case of detecting a possible case of atrial fibrillation and thanks to the integration of the algorithm, the user will receive a notification through his bracelet or watch.

In addition, this alert system will also offer you the possibility of being aware of the risks that it may entail and accessing additional information.

You may also contact a specialist doctor or an expert for further evaluation to prevent a significant medical event, such as a stroke.

In this way, Fitbit offers the user two ways to detect atrial fibrillation. On the one hand, its electrocardiogram (ECG) application, which allows for closer monitoring.

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Through this, the user can carry out a personal study to detect a possible atrial fibrillation and record an ECG trace, which can then be transferred to his doctor.

On the other hand, Google offers the integration of the PPG-based algorithm within Fitbit wristbands and watches, which allows long-term heart rhythm assessment and helps identify asymptomatic atrial fibrillation.

As Google has concluded in this statement, it will continue to work with BMS-Pfizer Alliance to develop educational content for patients and healthcare providers.

Also, expect both Fitbit’s PPG-based algorithm and irregular heartbeat notifications to be available soon” for US consumers, through a range of heart rate-enabled devices.

Source: Elcomercio