Fitbit’s atrial fibrillation (AFib) detection feature is finally live following its FDA approval and is poised to do a lot of good for its users. AFib is a heart condition where a person’s heartbeat rhythm is irregular making them much more susceptible to things like strokes, heart attacks, and other critical heart conditions. Now that your Fitbit is able to detect AFib, the wearable tech might just save your life.
AFib affects millions of people globally, but it’s difficult to detect in its early stages due to a general lack of noticeable symptoms before severe ones take over and threaten the lives of those affected. Luckily, Fitbit’s AFib detection feature can notice irregular heartbeats and alert the wearer if they’re displaying symptoms of AFib.
The rollout of the feature began this week and will continue over the next several weeks for those in the U.S. Currently, the feature is only available in the one region, but Fitbit has expressed that it wants to extend the feature to other regions as well but that it will take time.
Once the feature has been added to your Fitbit app, you’ll be notified if your device detects any heart rhythm issues via the “Today” and “Discover” tab in your app. The company told 9to5Google that it recommends Fitbit users check the tabs on a daily basis to keep up with their heart health and stay informed.
Fitbit makes sure to point out that its detection feature cannot diagnose a person with AFib, but simply gather heartbeat data and notify them to have a conversation with their doctor about a possible diagnosis.
The list of Fitbit devices that supports the AFib feature is as follows:
The software behind the detection feature makes it simple to run and doesn’t require the relatively new ECG monitors that the latest wearable tech has. As a result, older devices like the Charge 3 and the Inspire 2 are able to utilize the feature. In order to use the AFib detector, make sure that your Fitbit has the latest firmware update downloaded.
The OnePlus Buds Clip are a new pair of open-ear earbuds built around a simple convenience. They join Sony’s LinkBuds Clip in the growing ear-cuff category, but either OnePlus bud can go on either ear.
Sensors recognize how the earbuds are being worn and route the audio channels accordingly. There’s no label to check before putting them on, and the feature also works when only one bud is used.
We buy fitness bands and activity trackers to keep tabs on our exercise, but it is easy to forget to start tracking or switch modes when moving between different activities. For Fitbit and Pixel Watch users, that could soon become a lot less annoying, as Google is rolling out a major upgrade to automatic activity tracking that can recognize more than 100 types of exercise, up from just 10 before.
Google first showed off the improved tracking earlier this month alongside the Fitbit Edge. It is now coming to Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch 3, 4, and 5, and Google claims the added context behind the system makes workout detection nearly twice as accurate while cutting missed activities by more than half. Fitbit Edge will support it too.