Samsung announced that its Galaxy Watch 6 can predict fainting due to vasovagal syncope (VVS) with high accuracy. VVS is the most common type of fainting, which can cause severe secondary injuries from sudden falls. The company collaborated with Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital in Korea to develop this monitoring technique, as reported in a paper published in the European Heart Journal.
VVS occurs when heart rate and blood pressure drop rapidly due to various triggers, including the sight of blood or extreme emotional distress, according to The Mayo Clinic. As stated by Professor Jun Hwan Cho, one of the researchers involved in the study, up to 40 percent of people may experience VVS episodes.
The research team evaluated 132 patients with suspected VVS symptoms during induced fainting tests. Using a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor in the Galaxy Watch, the team measured heart rate and rhythm. An AI algorithm analyzed heart rate variability data and successfully predicted impending fainting episodes up to five minutes beforehand, achieving a prediction accuracy of 84.6 percent, clinical sensitivity of 90 percent, and specificity of 64 percent.
Jongmin Choi, Samsung’s head of Health R&D Group, noted, “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.” Samsung characterized the study as a “world-first breakthrough in fainting prediction.”
The company has not indicated when or if the fainting prediction feature will be available to Galaxy Watch users, citing potential legal or regulatory concerns. Nonetheless, Samsung aims to accelerate the implementation of personalized, preventative health solutions. The latest Galaxy Watch 8 includes health alert features such as sleep apnea detection, blood oxygen monitoring, heart irregularity alerts, and antioxidant detection.
