Your Fitbit smartwatch or fitness tracker is about to get better AFib detection
Your Fitbit may soon receive a new feature to help detect atrial fibrillation. Last month, Google revealed this new feature for identifying atrial fibrillation through its Fitbit wearable products (viaAndroid Central). Soon after, it received the go-ahead from the FDA to roll out the feature. Now, Google has confirmed the feature is rolling out to select products from April 25 for those in the US.
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AFib is a complex condition to detect, and Fitbitcites researchthat confirms around 33 million people around the globe suffer from the condition. AFib can significantly increase your chance of a stroke. If you receive a notification through this feature, you should discuss the information with your doctor or another healthcare professional.
Fitbit’s new algorithm works similarly to an ECG monitor that you’d find on wearables such as theSamsung Galaxy Watch 4, but it doesn’t need the same hardware. That means Fitbit products that don’t have ECG monitors can include this feature. Both theFitbit Charge 5and Sense already include ECG monitors, but they’re also getting this update to help better detect the condition.
The nine products to get the new update for AFib detection are:
It’s pretty remarkable that this feature now means the Fitbit Charge 3 — a fitness tracker from 2018 — can now offer Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications. AFib detection has become a big talking point in thebest smartwatchesover the last five or so years, but it wasn’t a feature that was included on Fitbit products until 2020. If you own one of the above trackers or smartwatches and live in the US, you should expect to see the update roll out in the coming weeks.
Fitbit has confirmed it’s working on bringing the feature to other markets, but it will take time. A spokesperson for the company told Android Police, “We are assessing and working to bring this feature to users in other countries and will share more updates when we have them.” If you don’t live in the US, you shouldn’t expect this feature to land on your Fitbit soon, as it’ll require approval from other region’s regulators.
UPDATE: 2022/04/27 06:50 EST BY JAMES PECKHAM
Fitbit has confirmed it is considering a rollout to other markets
On the topic of a rollout to other countries, Fitbit confirmed to Android Police that it is considering offering the feature outside the US, but it will take further work.
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