Smartwatches have evolved into devices that play a crucial role in preventative healthcare. The data they collect is analyzed to pick up signs of issues such as atrial fibrillation and hypertension hopefully in time for the user to get professional medical treatment.
Samsung has been working hard on further developing these capabilities for the Galaxy Watch. It’s has developed new AI algorithms in collaboration with Medical AI, a leading AI-based ECG tech firm in South Korea, to enable its smartwatches to detect signs of heart failure.
Global launch will likely depend on regulatory approvals
Samsung today announced that its wearable devices will soon be able to detect and monitor Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD). It’s a very serious condition that causes nearly 50% of heart failure cases. Early detection and monitoring can help users get the treatment they need to improve outcomes.
The AI algorithms have been developed based on Medical AI’s own algorithm for 12-lead ECG analysis. That particular AI is already being used in more than 100 hospitals in South Korea to help over 120,000 patients monthly. It has received regulatory approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, which is South Korea’s version of the US FDA.
The technology plays an important role in early screening for patients who may not have any symptoms, thus prevent an outcome where they’re effectively against a ticking time bomb.
It’s likely that availability of this feature will depend on where Samsung is able to gain approval from the respective government regulatory bodies. South Korea will certainly be among the first to get this, which Samsung claims is the world’s first LVSD detection through a smartwatch.
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