Fitbit today announced it has received clearance from the regulators in the USA and European Union, for its electrocardiogram (ECG) app to assess heart rhythm for atrial fibrillation (AFib).
Fitbit’s new on-device compatible ECG app helps analyse the heart’s rhythm for signs of AFib. ECG is a measurement of the electrical activity of the heart, and the Fitbit ECG App is a simple way people can take an on-the-spot reading of their heart rhythm at any time, including whenever they notice any unusual cardiac symptoms.
The Fitbit ECG App, unveiled in Fitbit’s recent Australian product launch, will be available in October 2020 for Fitbit Sense users in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland, Belgium, Portugal, Romania, Ireland, Italy, Spain, France, Hong Kong and India.
Just because the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Conformité Européenne approve the Fitbit ECG app doesn’t mean it will automatically be enabled for Australian Fitbit Sense buyers. That will occur if the Australian medical devices regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), decides to approve it for use here. Don’t hold your breath because they still haven’t approved the Apple Watch ECG functionality for use in Australia either.
Eric Friedman, Fitbit co-founder and CTO commented:
“Helping people understand and manage their heart health has always been a priority for Fitbit, and our new ECG app is designed for those users who want to assess themselves in the moment and review the reading later with their doctor. Early detection of AFib is critical, and I’m incredibly excited that we are making these innovations accessible to people around the world to help them improve their heart health, prevent more serious conditions and potentially save lives.”
As part of the submission process to regulatory agencies, Fitbit conducted a multi-site clinical trial in regions across the U.S. The study evaluated the algorithm’s ability to accurately detect AFib from normal sinus rhythm and to generate an ECG trace, or recording of a heart’s electrical rhythm, that is qualitatively similar to a Lead I ECG.
The study showed that the algorithm exceeded target performance, demonstrating the ability to detect 98.7% of AFib cases (sensitivity) and was 100% accurate in identifying study participants with normal sinus rhythm (specificity).
Fitbit Sense is available today for pre-order on Fitbit.com and online at select retailers including JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Amazon, Officeworks, The Good Guys, Bing Lee and Big W, with broad worldwide availability starting in late September. Fitbit Sense is available for AU$499.95 in carbon/graphite stainless steel and lunar white/soft gold stainless steel.
