News-Medical.Net July 29, 2024
A recent Journal of the American Heart Association study investigates whether wearable devices impact patients’ health and psychological well-being with atrial fibrillation (AF).
AF and wearable devices
AF, a common cardiac condition associated with an irregular heart rate, is estimated to affect over 33 million adults worldwide. The presence of AF increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, cognitive dysfunction, and premature death.
Smartwatches and fitness bands are common wearable devices used by AF patients to continuously monitor vital health parameters such as stress, physical activity, weight, heart rate, and sleep patterns. Several commercially available wearable devices, such as the Apple Watch, are equipped with medical‐grade sensors and software to monitor irregular heartbeats associated with AF. Some of these devices...