Smartwatches are not just for counting steps or checking the time—they may also help save lives.
A new study from Amsterdam UMC shows that smartwatches equipped with both PPG (photoplethysmography) and ECG (electrocardiogram) technology are much better at detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) compared to standard medical care.
Atrial fibrillation is a common type of irregular heartbeat that increases the risk of stroke. When the heart beats in a fast and chaotic rhythm, blood clots can form in the heart. If these clots travel to the brain, they can cause a stroke. Many people with AF do not experience symptoms, making early detection critical.
Traditionally, patients are monitored using external ECG devices. These devices are usually worn for only about two weeks and can be uncomfortable. In contrast, a smartwatch can be worn daily and continuously monitor the heart without much hassle.
To test how well smartwatches work in real-world conditions, researchers studied 437 patients over the age of 65 who had a higher risk of stroke. Half of the group (219 people) received an Apple Watch and wore it for at least 12 hours a day. The other half (218 people) received the usual medical care.
After six months, doctors had diagnosed and treated 21 patients in the smartwatch group with atrial fibrillation. More than half of them—57%—had no symptoms. In comparison, only five people in the standard care group were diagnosed, and all of them had experienced symptoms.
This means that using smartwatches led to more than four times as many diagnoses, including people who would not have known they had the condition. According to cardiologist Michiel Winter, who led the study, this shows that smartwatches can be a powerful tool for long-term heart monitoring.
Nicole van Steijn, a Ph.D. candidate involved in the research, explains that although smartwatches with PPG and ECG features have been available for some time, this was one of the first real-world studies to test how well they work for people at higher risk of atrial fibrillation.
The findings were so significant that they were presented at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual meeting. Winter believes the results offer strong evidence that wearable devices can improve screening, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes.
Another big benefit? The early detection of atrial fibrillation could reduce the number of strokes. This not only improves patient health and survival rates but also saves money in the long run by lowering hospital and treatment costs. According to Winter, these savings could balance out the initial cost of the smartwatch.
In short, wearable technology is proving to be more than a convenience—it’s becoming a valuable tool in modern medicine. By helping doctors find heart problems early, smartwatches could play an important role in keeping people healthy and preventing serious events like strokes.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about top 10 foods for a healthy heart, and how to eat right for heart rhythm disorders.
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