According to late-breaking research presented today at the 2021 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, a new software algorithm can detect irregular heart rhythms and detect undiagnosed atrial fibrillation 97 percent of the time.
The Wearable Devices May Enable Early Detection Of Irregular Heartbeats
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Since the development of various applications and software, the medical field also has started using various options that can help to check and improve the condition of a patient. Wearable devices have taken these actions a step further as now it is possible to know the rhythm of the heart and pulse rates with the help of such devices. In case of any deviation, one can easily go for treatment.
Wearable fitness trackers and smartwatches can detect your pulse rate with light sensors. A software algorithm developed by researchers was successful in detecting atrial fibrillation using pulse rate signals originating from one brand of the wearable device.
While the wearable device is inactive, the algorithm scans the pulse information continuously and overlappingly to detect irregular heart rhythms. For the algorithm to detect the presence of possible atrial fibrillation, irregular heart rhythms must persist for at least 30 minutes.
According to cardiologist Steven A. Lubitz, MD, MPH, undiagnosed atrial fibrillation can lead to strokes, and early detection can provide the opportunity to prescribe medications to reduce stroke risk.
During the study period, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and fitness wearable company Fitbit recruited more than 455,000 adult smartwatch users in the U.S. Study participants were not diagnosed with atrial fibrillation prior to the study. There were 71 percent female participants, 73 percent white participants, and an average age of 47 years. A novel algorithm was used to analyze data collected from the devices.
When the software algorithm detects an irregular heartbeat, a telehealth professional will visit the patient. The telehealth physician consulted with participants before providing a smartwatch or fitness tracker in addition to the electrocardiogram patch monitor for one week.
New algorithms were able to detect atrial fibrillation consistently and accurately across a range of age groups, according to research. In particular:
Individuals over 65 years old are 4 percent more likely to have irregular heart rhythms than those under 65.
The ECG patch monitor detected atrial fibrillation in 32 percent of individuals who received notification of an abnormal heart rhythm.
The ECG patch detected atrial fibrillation in 98 percent of individuals despite another abnormal heart rhythm.
AFib was found to be concurrent in 97 percent of participants over 65 years old, a subgroup at increased stroke risk from atrial fibrillation.
The results of this study prove that wearable devices are effective in identifying undiagnosed atrial fibrillation, argues Lubitz. These kinds of algorithms can potentially be applied widely to detect atrial fibrillation before it develops into a potentially devastating condition such as a stroke. The increasing use of wearable devices to monitor health may mean that such algorithms become more valuable.”
The wearable algorithm is at its most active during sleep, so wearing it during sleep gives the wearable its maximum benefit. According to him, most episodes of undiagnosed atrial fibrillation occur during sleep, and these episodes are likely to be asymptomatic.
Currently, the FDA is reviewing the wearable application to determine whether it will be accepted. Lubitz stresses that the study did not determine whether screening for atrial fibrillation reduces stroke risk, so further research is needed to address these issues.
