FitBit has effectively tested ECG technology developed on its own and now it awaits green signal by FDA to move ahead with this development. A large scale heart study is also on the cards to which would require thousands of users.
FItBit has been developing this technology for years now to test whether its devices are capable of detecting irregular rhythms of heart beat. These irregular rhythms can lead up to or be a cause of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). FitBit has worked to develop heart sensors and algorithms for this cause. Atrial Fibrillation is Arrythmia’s most common kind. Around 8 million people are affected by this condition in the United States alone. This number goes up to 30 million for world wide. The research conducted by FitBit is seeking to enrol anywhere around 200,000 to 250,000 people who also own a FitBit device. The data collected from these people will greatly help the study.
“Until recently, tools for detecting AFib had a number of limitations and were only accessible if you visited a doctor,” said Steven Lubitz, M.D., M.P.H, Principal investigator of the Fitbit Heart Study, cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.
“My hope is that advancing research on innovative and accessible technology, like Fitbit devices, will lead to more tools that help improve health outcomes and reduce the impact of AFib on a large scale.” Steven Lubitz, M.D., M.P. H, is FitBit Heart Study’s Principal Investigator and a well-known Massachusetts General Hospital cardiologist. He also is an Associate Professor in Harvard Medical College.
Early diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation can bring down the dangers of contracting any life threatening condition significantly. Heart rate sensors on FitBit devices work around the clock which puts them in perfect position to monitor any kind of condition related to Arrhythmia and point out any abnormalities.
