A smart watch could help pick up an an irregular heartbeat before it causes problems

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-01-22 17:00

International

Photo by Luke Chesser on Unsplash. Story by Rachel McDonald, Australian Science Media Centre

Smartwatches could be an effective tool for diagnosing older people with atrial fibrillation - an irregular heartbeat that can lead to stroke - according to international researchers. The team recruited 437 people aged 65+ considered at a high stroke risk, and randomised them to either wear a smartwatch equipped to measure heart activity, or receive usual care for six months. During the study, the researchers say new-onset atrial fibrillation was picked up in 9.6% of the smartwatch group and 2.3% of the usual care group. The researchers say several atrial fibrillation episodes detected in the smartwatch group were asymptomatic. The researchers say their study supports the use of smartwatches to potentially improve diagnosis of atrial fibrillation in people at a higher risk of stroke.

Journal/
conference: Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Organisation/s: University of Amsterdam, Netherlands

Funder: N.J. van Steijn and M.M. Winter received a travel grant from Apple Inc., solely covering travel expenses to present at a scientific conference. The Bob Vlake Foundation provided direct financial support for the study (cash contribution). Apple Inc. loaned the Apple Watch devices used in the research. The study funders were not involved in the design, conduct, analysis, or interpretation of the research, nor in the writing of this manuscript. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose

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