HUNTSVILLE LIVING | FEBRUARY 2024 | 7
ed s u c h information , Faranesh told KHN , as part of a survey submitted to the FDA for clearance of its device .
But the full results of the study — which collected information from 455,000 patients — aren ’ t yet available . Diagnosis isn ’ t the same as knowing what the best treatment should be . For example , treating otherwise healthy patients with anticoagulants — the standard treatment for atrial fibrillation — may expose them to unnecessary side effects .
According to doctors interviewed by KHN , atrial fibrillation is a broad condition . Some patients have many bouts in a given year and symptoms like fatigue or shortness of breath . Some patients don ’ t notice a thing .
In the past , fleeting fibrillation wouldn ’ t have been detected , let alone treated . And wearable technology users are healthier and wealthier than the typical atrial fibrillation patient . A new Apple Watch costs around $ 400 ; the cheapest Fitbit is $ 50 . ( Company officials couldn ’ t say which Fitbit devices would have the atrial fibrillation detection function , although they said they were committed to making the tech widely available .)
The combination of the health condition ’ s low burden and healthier patients means cardiologists aren ’ t entirely sure what to do with this cohort of patients .
Between the anxiety and the unknowns , the tech companies have nonetheless started the health system on a massive science experiment .
Huge swaths of people have embraced wearable
gadgets . Analysts at Counterpoint Research said the Apple Watch — which has included the atrial fibrillation-scanning feature since 2018 — crossed 100 million users worldwide last summer . Fitbit likely has tens of millions more users . How many of them will have the new feature once it ’ s available isn ’ t yet clear .
More companies are coming . “ Everyone wants to add higher- and higher-caliber medical-grade sensors ” to their consumer gadgets , said Dr . Justin Klein , managing partner of Vensana Capital , a venture capital firm . It ’ s “ going to drive patients to clinics to get these diagnoses confirmed ,” Klein said .
Companies are broadening the capabilities of the wearables even further . Klein said big tech and startups alike are eyeing more conditions for gadgets to passively alert users about , from blood oxygen levels to high blood pressure .
Figuring out what to do with these new doodads is up to patients and doctors .
Northwestern ’ s Passman considers himself an optimist when it comes to the potential of the devices . In an interview — sporting an Apple Watch on his wrist — he said the devices can help doctors and patients manage conditions and respond quickly when there ’ s a funny flutter . And doctors can use the devices to confirm whether their treatments for atrial fibrillation are working , cardiologists like Passman say .
Still , the feature is likely to lead to headaches for cardiologists . “ It ’ s caused some increased burden , handling phone calls , office visits ,” Weiss said — and all for an as-yetunclear benefit .
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — an independent source of health policy research , polling , and journalism . Learn more about KFF .
HUNTSVILLE LIVING | FEBRUARY 2024 | 7