Fainting prediction will be the next major Samsung Galaxy Watch health feature
Samsung reckons the Galaxy Watch 6 can predict when wearers can faint, following a clinical study using the heart rate variability metrric
Samsung reckons the Galaxy Watch 6 can accurately predict when wearers might faint. Following a clinical study in Korea, Samsung says biosignals obtained from the smartwatch can predict vasovagal syncope (VVS), which causes the temporary loss of consciousness.
Samsung says rapid drops in heart rate and blood pressure can forebode a fainting episode and that offering a warning could help prevent injuries from the sudden falls, such as concussions from banging a head, or fractured bones. That way wearers can know when to sit down before falling down. And it also gives them the opportunity to call for help if needed.
Samsung says the team at the Department of Cardiology at Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital used the previous generation Galaxy Watch 6 to analyse heart rate variability data using an AI algorithm.
In tests on patients with suspected VVS symptoms carried out during induced fainting tests, the model predicted fainting episodes up to five minutes in advance with 84.6% accuracy. Samsung says the findings represent the world’s first demonstration of a commercially available smartphone providing early prediction of fainting.
“This study is an example of how wearable technology can help shift healthcare from being designed for ‘post-care’ to a model of ‘preventive care,’” said Jongmin Choi, Head of Health R&D Group, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business, Samsung Electronics in a press release. “We are committed to driving technological innovation that empowers our users to lead healthier everyday lives.”
Samsung does not say whether it plans to integrate the feature into future software updates or future hardware, but one would imagine that’s the idea. The company already offers Afib detection, sleep apnea detection, blood pressure and blood oxygen monitoring, stress levels, body temperature and much more.
Chris Smith
