How useful is the smartwatch ECG?
Monitoring personal health like cardiovascular measures in real time became possible as the smartwatch technology hit the market. However, wearable medical devices rised a number of important questions regarding the clinical accuracy. With numerous options available for consumers, only the Apple Watch received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for atrial fibrillation (AF) detection algorithms. AF is described as the most frequently diagnosed arrhythmia (>3% in the adult population). But with everything new expect the challenges. In case with Apple Watch, for example, there is a socioeconomic and demographic disparity. Statistics shows that motivated consumers with healthier lifestyles are more likely to get a smartwatch. Another challenge is timing, as AF is a chronic condition. That requires a constant and long-term monitoring, but as many as 20% of consumers are not adherent to wearing a device after a couple of months. Nonetheless, the smart watch ECG feature is a promising and developing technology, that is already improving AF detection and management.