How to improve detection of atrial fibrillation with fitness bands and smart watches

Using clinical and consumer devices to enhance screening for atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a condition that causes irregular beating of the upper chambers of the heart. It increases the risk of stroke because a blood clot is more likely to form inside the heart and travel to the brain. AF is undiagnosed in many people because there are often no symptoms or it only occurs intermittently. Clinical trials are underway to see if screening programmes can help identify people with AF so that their risk of stroke can be reduced with treatment. Screening typically involves people taking home a handheld clinical device and checking their heart rhythm twice daily for two weeks. Dr Charlton will research how wearable consumer devices such as smart watches and fitness bands could be used to improve the screening process. The aim is to develop a reliable way to detect AF from everyday wearable devices; develop a 30 sec test to identify people who are unlikely to have AF (eliminating the need for expensive home monitoring using a clinical device); and assess different approaches for home rhythm monitoring to see which performs best. This project will involve analysing large volumes of data from AF screening trials. Dr Charlton will also collect and analyse new data from 140 participants of an ongoing trial who will wear consumer devices and a clinical heart monitor for one week. This research could lead to improvements in screening programmes for AF, increase their value for money, and ultimately lead to a reduction in strokes.