text: Fitbit receives FDA approval for passive atrial fibrillation monitoring - MrLiambi's blog
  Fitbit has received clearance from the FDA for an algorithm that aims to check for signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib) in the background.Â
  Currently, a Fitbit tracker is only able to scan for an irregular heart rhythm when a user decides to check. However, this approval from the FDA - detailed in a blog post from parent company Google - allows this to broaden to more passive checks.Â
  That study managed to help flag around 5,000 users, of which around 1,000 followed up on the notification and around a third of that group had a diagnosis of AFib confirmed.Â
  Through data presented at the 2021 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, Fitbit also indicates that its PPG detections correctly identified AFib episodes 98% of the time (with these initial signs later confirmed by ECG patch monitors). For reference, a similar-sized study from Apple and Stanford University related to AFib found that the Apple Watch had a positive predictive value of 84%.Â
  We'll update this story when we know more.Â
  Source : https://www.pocket-lint.com/fitness-trackers/news/fitbit/160738-fitbit-atrial-fibrillation-afib-monitoring-passive-algorithm-fda-approval