Researchers presented study findings showing that the Apple Watch was able to detect atrial fibrillation (AFib) in people who received an alert of an irregular heartbeat. These findings highlight how wearable devices can potentially be used to detect health conditions before people experience life-threatening symptoms.

The Apple watch detects afib. (Credit: Western Connecticut)

Study participants were required to wear the Apple Watch and download the Heart Study iPhone application (app). Only 0.52 percent of all participants received irregular pulse watch notifications. Participants who received irregular pulse watch notifications had a virtual consultation with a study physician, and then wore an electrocardiogram (ECG) patch to confirm the diagnosis. Eighty-four percent of the time, participants who received irregular pulse watch notifications were found to be in AFib at the time of the notification.

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