Earlier in April 2022, Google brought it to notice that it had been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration after requesting them to do so.
The Fitbit FDA clearance for AFib detection feature clearance was a result of its built-in fibrillation monitoring algorithm. The new feature is set to be available on 9 Fitbit smartwatches, Google confirms.
The nine Fitbit models that will get the AFib Detection feature include Fitbit Sense, Charge 4, Charge 5, Charge 3, Luxe, Versa Lite, Versa 2, Inspire 2, and Versa 3 and that is because they can point to symptoms of AFib.
And so, like a Fitbit user of the above-mentioned series, it is your duty to be on the lookout for the exciting feature.
Ways Fitbit Provides to Detect AFib
There are two ways users will be able to detect an irregular heartbeat. The first will be using the ECG app. This health app will help you screen yourself to find out whether you have AFib.
The second way will be through the Fitbit AFib PPG algorithm and irregular Heart Rhythm notifications. This will be available to Americans with the specified heart rate-enabled devices.
How Does the PPG AFib Detection Work?
Small blood vessels in our bodies expand and contract as a result of the change in blood capacity in the tiny blood vessels.
The change in the blood volume is detected by the PPG AFib detector right from the wrist. The algorithm will use these volumes to analyze and determine your heart rhythm whether it is regular or irregular.
The PPG AFib detection feature will also be able to alert you to the possible signs of atrial fibrillation. To study the PPG algorithm, Fitbit was able to acquire 455,699 of its users to help with the study which took about 5 months.
And that is how the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions found out that the PPG AFib technology work more effectively (about 98% correct) in identifying heartbeat irregularities as supported by the ECG patch.
Why Google Earned FDA Clearance For The PPG AFib Detection Technology
The reason why Google was cleared for the AFib Detection feature was because of an earlier Heart Study that was carried out back in 2020.
This study found that Fitbit accurately detected a series of AFib (irregular heartbeat). It was also seen to be about 98% more accurate than ECG monitors.
Although the ECG patch monitor already offers to monitor the heart rhythm time by time, what the new Fitbit’s AFib detector will offer will be more consistent.
AFib notification will be sent to the Fitbit app where you can have an in-depth analysis of your heartbeat.
What You Will Hate About the AFib Detection Feature
Although this is a cool feature, it is not something everyone globally can enjoy. The feature will only be rolled out to Fitbit users in the United States.
We hope as time goes by they will offer the same feature to their users outside the United States as AFib is a condition experienced by people worldwide.
Setting Up the Irregular Rhythm Notification
Settings will for AFib detection be done via the Fitbit App and on the Discover tab. Heart rhythm gets automatically collected after a complete setup.
Apart from being asleep, the Fitbits mentioned above will still collect data when you are calm/still. It is now the user’s responsibility to sync his or her heart rhythm by launching the Fitbit App day.
With the help of the PPG algorithm, the app will be able to analyze and tell AFib signs. Visit the Today tab to get your Heart Rhythm notices.
The bottom line, the New Fitbit feature makes AFib detection more accessible.
Click here to find out whether Fitbit can measure Blood Pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is AFib Better Detected?
According to Google Clearance announcement Irregular heartbeat, AFib is best detected when you are asleep. That said, the irregular heart rate monitor will be more accurate and useful when you are asleep.
Can Fitbit Detect Atrial Fibrillation (AFib detector vs ECG sensor)?
Sometimes back Fitbit such as Sense and Charge 5 were compatible with the ECG app which helped identify the atrial fibrillation AFib.
Today Fitbit comes with the atrial fibrillation monitor that will make sure the heartbeat analysis results you get are more accurate compared to those got through ECG sensors.
Which Fitness Tracker can Track AFib?
In a few weeks’ time there the AFib detection technology will be rolled out to Fitbit users with Sense, Inspire 2, Charge 4, Charge 5, Versa 3, Versa Lite, Luxe, Versa 2, and Charge 3. Apart from Fitbit Garmin can also detect AFib.
How Accurate is Fitbit Sense with AFib?
Sometimes back Fitbit Sense users had issues with the tracker’s ECG sensor because the results it gave were inaccurate.
With the PPG AFib detection technology that will be rolled out in a matter of weeks users with the 9 specified Fitbits Sense included will be able to get 100% accuracy on Heart Rate Rhythm and up to 98.8% accuracy on AFib detection.
Can Fitbit Track Heart Palpitation?
First heart palpitation refers to a feeling of the heart-pounding hard, ricing, or skipping. The situation is bothersome but hard to tell whether a person is having heart problems since it is barely a sign. Fortunately, we have the Fitbit Ionic smartwatch and Versa which can be able to detect irregular heart rhythms.
How Does the AFib Monitor Work?
The fibrillation algorithm monitors the rhythm of your heartbeat passively. It will send a notification via Irregular Heart Rhythm, AFib Notification after the algorithm analyses the beat as irregular heartbeat (AFib).
What is AFib?
AFib refers to an irregular heartbeat condition that is said to affect over 5 million residents of the United States and over 30 million people worldwide.
This feature might be just the right thing to help Fitbit users avoid such illnesses to prevent more cases because AFib itself is hard to tell. AFib is so dangerous, that it may lead to a stroke.
