Disclaimer: Due to health regulations and clearances, some ScanWatch features may not be available or may not have clinical validation in your region. Learn more.
How does ScanWatch provide an electrocardiogram?
ScanWatch includes three electrodes to ensure measurement accuracy. Two electrodes are discreetly integrated inside the main body of the watch, and the third electrode is in the stainless steel upper ring (the bezel) of the watch. Users simply need to touch both sides of the bezel to start recording ECG anytime and anywhere.
Is it a medically-approved measurement?
We led several clinical studies to compare ScanWatch measurements with the gold standard and assess its medical accuracy. ScanWatch has received CE medical certification in Europe and FDA clearance in the United States.
What is the benefit of having an ECG on the wrist?
AFib is believed to be responsible for about 30% of strokes, and 90% of these events could be avoided if AFib is detected at an early stage. AFib is often underdiagnosed because explicit atrial fibrillation episodes don’t necessarily occur during doctor’s visits. When a user feels symptoms such as palpitations, he can place his hand on his watch, and in 30 seconds, ScanWatch will record an electrocardiogram by detecting the electrical signals of the heart.
How can I see the results?
When users experience symptoms, or if they are alerted to an abnormal heart rate, they can easily take an ECG, in just 30 seconds. During the measurement, users can see the live electrocardiogram displayed on the watch screen or in the accompanying Withings App. Once the reading is complete, the results can be viewed both directly on the watch screen and in the app. A history of all recordings, their associated classifications, and any noted comments or symptoms are stored in the app. All data collected can easily be shared with a doctor or healthcare professional.
How can I share my results or act on them?
Data collected by ScanWatch and visualized in Withings App can easily be shared with a doctor or healthcare professional, which can help assist with an early diagnosis. Early diagnosis could help to prevent more serious complications.
Can ScanWatch record my QT interval?
ScanWatch is CE cleared and regulated to detect and display only the following: beats per minute, normal sinus rhythms and atrial fibrillation. When you record an electrocardiogram, QRS, PR, QT and QTc durations appear on the ECG pdf report that you can share.
Can ScanWatch detect arrhythmias other than AFib?
ScanWatch has algorithms that can provide the following ECG results: normal, atrial fibrillation, low heart rate or high heart rate. As a medical device, ScanWatch will not be cleared to detect or communicate any other results, rhythms, or arrhythmias. However, the watch records a single-lead ECG. Therefore, any arrhythmia that appears on this type of ECG is likely to appear on the ECG recorded by your watch. You may present this recording to a specialist for diagnosis.
Does ScanWatch detect Extrasystoles? If so, can I see them with an ECG?
The detection algorithm has been calibrated and validated on groups of people with either normal sinus rhythm or AFib. Thus, the reliability of the algorithm cannot be guaranteed for other types of arrhythmias. The only risk is therefore to have a wrong diagnosis on the ECG.
Atrial flutter is a type of arrhythmia (resulting from the too rapid contraction of the atria) similar to atrial fibrillation, though the heartbeat remains sometimes regular. ScanWatch's detection algorithm can therefore be misled since it is calibrated specifically for atrial fibrillation.
Please note that atrial fibrillation can be episodic. In some arrhythmias other than atrial fibrillation, the algorithm can be incorrect, especially in the presence of extrasystole. With the medical-grade ECG tracing provided by ScanWatch, extrasystoles are clearly visible, and a cardiologist is able to make a more accurate diagnosis.
Does my by-pass have an effect on my ECG measurements?
Cardiac bypass, which consists in supplementing the coronary circulation by placing leads downstream of obstructions, does not modify the electrical activity of the heart. Therefore, the ECG recorded by ScanWatch remains identical to the one that can be recorded in the classic case.