How accurate is your smart watch ECG? Doctor's analysis of the wearable tech and the evidence

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Most smart watches now, from the Apple Watch to the Samsung Galaxy Watch, can perform an ECG but are they accurate? What can they actually be used for? Might a watch one day tell us if we’re having a heart attack?
In this video, we’ll look at how companies are using smart watch based ECG and whether the evidence shows that they’re accurate. We’ll separate the fact from the fiction and ask why an accurate ECG on your Galaxy or Apple watch is a good thing. Finally, we’ll look at some of the heart conditions that a smart watch ECG could be used to accurately detect in the future including the big one: heart attacks.
If you enjoy it, please share the video and don’t forget to subscribe!
Also, if you’re wondering what other digital solutions are out there to help with your overall heart health, check out this review of heart health apps, including Fibricheck and Kardia, two big players using accurate, phone based ECG to diagnose disease sooner:
• Kardia, FibriCheck and...
0:00:00 - Intro
0:00:13 - What is a smart watch ECG?
0:01:29 - Irregular heart rhythm and a smart watch ECG
0:02:39 - Is a smart watch ECG accurate?
0:03:34 - Continuous smart watch ECG monitoring
0:04:49 - What else can a smart watch ECG accurately detect?
0:05:43 - Could my watch tell me if I’m having a heat attack?
0:06:31 - Improving the accuracy of a smart watch ECG
0:07:28 - Round Up: how accurate is your smart watch ECG?
My name is Dr Tom Micklewright, a Medical Doctor and Digital Health Specialist working in the NHS in the UK. Although I use the Fitbit Sense as part of this video, I have not received any financial compensation from Fitbit, so this is an independent video.
I am also an employee at ORCHA,the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps, but this review was conducted independently of ORCHA, with full creative control retained by me, as author of this review.
Thank you to Conolan, F1 Digitals, Coverr-free-footage and Photikus who provided some of the stock video footage for free via Pixabay.com

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28 май 2024

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Комментарии : 121

@linneastlouis9701 Год назад

Interesting and actionable but the music was very distracting.

@MickleDoc Год назад

Useful feedback, thanks Linnea. I've turned down the volume for my next video (due to be published in the next couple of days), so please let me know if that works better :-)

@BillyBay Год назад

I agree

@coke383 10 месяцев назад

@@MickleDoc dont need music tbh

@mannapt 10 месяцев назад

I agree, please no music next video, it is very distracting

@allikh9338 7 месяцев назад

Funny thing I didn’t notice the music till I read your comment now I can’t get it out of my head

@mesenteria 9 месяцев назад

My Electrophysiologist accepted the downloaded ECG from my Samsung Galaxy 4 as evidence that his first attempt at catheter ablation for my atrial fibrillation had failed. Happily, Round Two worked, and my Galaxy watch shows NSR routinely.

@padila176 5 месяцев назад

Man my first catheter ablation failed and not only that i was seconds from death . I am trying to find a watch to scan my heart and i really dont know wich .

@atarisaint Год назад

Thank you so much for this video, a rare insight on this important subject. Your channel has an obvious potential and I am confident it will be soon with thousands of subscribers. Working for the NHS, and being a GP, while still having the time to offer this channel to us is nothing short of a miracle of social work. Thank you, Tom.

@wagnergustavorinaldi2271 11 месяцев назад

Nice video! Thank you, directly from Brazil.

@evandrogaio7003 5 месяцев назад

Excelent video. Thanks!

@chrisdee8199 9 месяцев назад

Awful noise in background.

@szargos Год назад

Nice video. This was the first video that came up when I searched. I say that because I'd recommend turning down the music a tad bit in the future, it's a slight bit distracting. Thanks for the video though.

@MickleDoc Год назад

Noted, thanks!

@timp102 7 месяцев назад

What an amazingly helpful video. My fitbit versa showed irregular heart rthym. My Dr confirmed this with an eg 24 hrs test. I had no symptoms so wouldn't have known I have atrial flutter.😮

@mohdwillie 7 месяцев назад

Hi, nice video..u got me interested in knowing more. I had AFib and done my ablation about 6 years ago and last year i hve VPC in which am on medication now. Will a smartwatch be a useful for me. Its an expensive item. Am 55 this month. Tq

@marksapollo 8 месяцев назад

Interesting, so my current Apple Watch with ECG could do a 6 lead reading just by me using it on different parts of my body. I have SVT and am worried it may mean to something else so this is useful to know thanks.

@maroof-alam 10 месяцев назад

Can you maybe cut down on the background music?

@ci3Ooo 3 месяца назад

‏Please, I want to inquire about the ECG app. It worked with me for two days from the purchase of the watch (version 9), but now it has not sent updates or the PDF file on my iPhone I don’t know why, the update shows on the watch only, but on my iPhone(15 pro max), there is no notification or anything, and the last updated on 2 Feb 2024

@tweber476 3 месяца назад

Why this crazy music?! This is not an advertising video 🙄 hard to hear and concentrate on what he says

@arundulam6152 4 месяца назад

Great video

@jsefdenopol 15 дней назад

Very informative thank you. The background music is not properly leveled. I can help your editor if you want.

@jenniferpodor492 10 месяцев назад

I have afib and a lot of pvc and pac. Will these watches pick up these abnormalities also? My Kardia does most of the time, but not always the most convenient to use.

@WalturdTheCat Месяц назад

Same for me, I wish someone would answer your question. After multiple heart monitors snd using Kardia app, I'm considering buying the Apple watch. But hate to spend the money if it wouldn't be accurate. I have SVT, PAC and PVC's. Recently, I was out without my Kardia device and believe I had an AFib episode.

@crazybits9257 Год назад

How about the latest models? Fitbit has fb sense 2, theres also apple watch 8 and galaxy watch 5 now. I do have irregular heart rhythm and I do want something that's accurate. Which one do you recommend?

@MickleDoc Год назад

I couldn't find any published research that specifically mentions these devices. Its a big issue in the industry - knowing yesterday's model and algorithm are accurate is one thing, but what about newer versions? It's why the comparison study I reference is pretty big news in this space (albeit using older models). If you put a gun to my head though, I'd probably lean towards the Apple Watch 8. That's because looking at older models, Apple seem to have developed an accurate algorithm for detection of irregular heart rhythms that is always amongst the best. In addition to this, there are more journal publications on the use of Apple Watches for a variety of medical use cases that for the others. This doesn't neccessarily mean its better - but it means that if we discover more uses for this kind of technology, its more likely we'll find them for the Apple Watch before the others, if this trend continues.

@crazybits9257 Год назад

@Mickle Doc Hey thanks so much for the reply! Really appreciate it. Awesome video too btw! Thanks for sharing your recommendation. I started following development updates for wearables with ecg 2 years ago when I found out I had some form of tachycardia... honestly was hoping to hear more praises towards the cheaper models as I'm not an iphone user (plus apple watch is more expensive than the rest) and the watch is unusable without an iphone. But yeah, at the back of my head, I do think joining the dark side might be a better investment health-wise. And I've been postponing this decision for way too long. Anyway, thanks so much for your insights! P.s. My cardiologist specifically recommended only the apple watch (q2 2021 so maybe series 5/6) and I kinda thought he was just an apple fanboy

@ozugru Год назад

@@crazybits9257 This is also the reason I'm considering an apple watch 8, even though I don't even have an iPhone. There is another youtube channel called the quantified scientist who uses real world data to compare health trackers (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YVhmzxpw5Gg.html) and he also found that Apple watches are the most accurate.

@ernestoalejandroespin8801 Год назад

1:36 the best part 😂 bobum bobum..and then the reeemix...chiki chiki bo bum🎉😂

@MickleDoc Год назад

Haha, I definitely need to turn the volume down on the music for my next vids 😅

@ernestoalejandroespin8801 Год назад

@Mickle Doc I was talking about the remix you were creating with your own voice lol😅

@MidnightMarrow 7 месяцев назад

I have hashimotos and have had all kinds of autoimmune health issues the last few years, I wasn't feeling good at all at work one day, hand tremors, sweats, felt super weak etc, used the ECG on my watch and it said atrial fibrillation was detected, it subsided and I went in to the walk in to get it checked out when it started again showed the doc the watch's data and explained everything that happened then and what was currently happening at the time of going in and she sent me to the ER. The ER docs dismissed any of that info and even though my thyroid levels were good, talked about upping my dosage... So if I'm already having arrythmias and the like I don't see what compels them to want to up my dosage even though they even said the levels were good but of course this is hashimotos and as far as I know at any moment I could be flooded with thyroid hormone at any moment while still taking the daily doses of levothyroxine.

@pressrepeat2000 9 месяцев назад

It would be interesting if you could compare the Apple Watch ECG results with a Fitbit Charge 5 (or another Fitbit ECG enabled band) and a Kardia 6-lead device. To me, it doesn’t seem to make a difference which one you use, as they only look at the basic rhythm rather than analysing everything and taking a holistic view. But perhaps I’m wrong, it would be great to get your perspective.

@secrettech9206 7 месяцев назад

i agree you

@screamtoasigh9984 2 месяца назад

And garmin

@thelightnigplaz3760 4 месяца назад

I keep getting a strange feeling in my chest when I do my watch says atrial fibrillation detected speak to your gp well been to the doc as I keep getting tachycardia and blood pressure keeps going up but it was all within normal range but at the higher end when I was there had an ecg it was normal I asked for a 24hour ecg and i was refused

@peterflitcroft9756 Год назад

Just found your channel and subscribed. Been having lots of problems getting my health professionals to take my b12 deficiency seriously. Despite producing multiple evidence that it improves my long covid symptoms I can’t get them to increase them to more than monthly. The ignorance of the NICE guidelines and the benefits of b12 injections for particular Patients is frightening.

@dmora2386 2 месяца назад

B12? Why do you need a doc to prescribe that instead of just bypassing them and supplementing with over the counter oral b12?

@peterflitcroft9756 2 месяца назад

@@dmora2386 Because you need injections. Supplements don’t work if you have absorption problems

@kingraw2000 10 месяцев назад

Thank you for the vid. I am still not sure if a watch is right for me. Can you do a vid about the Kardia mobile? Please allow me to share an other comment, not to be rude or anything, but please consider lowering the volume of the background music in future vids (or not using it at all), greetings

@MickleDoc 10 месяцев назад

Great suggestion @kingraw2000! I'll line up Kardia Mobile for a future review. And apologies about the background music - I've had similar feedback from a few viewers, so hopefully you'll see (or hear!) and improvement in future vids. Thanks for your support!

@rohanmashiyava8289 Год назад

very insightful. thanks for sharing this.👍

@MickleDoc Год назад

Glad you enjoyed it Rohan, thanks for the feedback!

@HoldFastAndStoic 8 месяцев назад

I think it would be interesting if you watch could identify lethal arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, contact 911 and give your location as well as your condition, sound an audible alarm and then flash on screen to start CPR. With the Apple Watch that is capable of making phone calls, if it automatically called 911, the operator could give instructions to someone who is not trained to do CPR.

@JoseGonzalez-lc6lq 10 месяцев назад

Does it detect VTACH?

@CathyBInAGaddaDaVegan 8 месяцев назад

my fitbit charge 5 told me when i had an afib event. otherwise i might not have known to go to the ER.

@Jared-qp7xe 6 месяцев назад

My galaxy 6 watch detected atrial fibrillation multiple times after going for 3-5 km runs. I only experience discomfort after strenuous exercise. Ive had to wear holter monitors that detected no abnormalities. The problem is that i only experience irregular heart rythm after exercise

@lucasasrp 3 месяца назад

Have you ever done a stress test? It is a test that evaluate your heart rhythm during and exercise (usually a treadmill running)

@susieroberts8175 3 месяца назад

So Fitbit have reduced the False Positive rate but we don't know the False Negative rate? Doesn't sound like an investment to me ...!

@Samantha-xr4mx 7 месяцев назад

Hi I have SVT and would like your advice on best smart watch that has the most accurate ECG and also tracks your heart 24/7 continuously. Many thanks ❤

@sharona5646 4 месяца назад

I was sitting at home a few days ago, and my heart started feeling weird, I started an ecg on my Apple Watch and it showed atrial fibrillation, it’s never shown this before, I’ve got an appointment anyway for blood pressure review on 31st Jan, so I’ll mention it then.

@Chris34720 3 месяца назад

What did they say you shouldn't delay any afib detection hopefully all good news

@sharona5646 3 месяца назад

@@Chris34720 everything has been fine, I spoke to them when I was at the docs for my bp review, hasn’t happened since, but it’s been noted in my notes ☺️

@RahulSingh-gd2gr 11 месяцев назад

Hello! Dc Tom, the video is helpful but I just have a little question, would be able to tell me how accurate(ECG) is on apple smart watch series 8 which there are the latest versions with the latest versions of software Thanks

@MickleDoc 10 месяцев назад

Hi, great question. I've just had a look though and I'm afraid I can't find any publicly-available research specifically on the series 8. Apple doesn't tend to post research on their website and I can't see any published papers on the online research database I use. I'll keep a look out though!

@Nicky86Min 9 месяцев назад

I regularly take my ECG on my galaxy 5, always fine, but i got one reading saying it found signs of artial fibrillation when i was hungover. Should that be a concren?

@traceystock7352 7 месяцев назад

Not a doctor here but a patient with lots of patient experience. Afib is very common and not necessaryily dangerous. If your total time in Afib is only a few minutes a year and when you have been drinking a lot of alcohol, you can just cut down on the drinking trigger mechanism and not worry. Also, a lot of aberrant readings on ECGs and smart devices tend to be captured as Afib. I once had a bad ECG reading in a doctor's office that said I had a Myocardial Infarction when I was highly fit and 38. There was nothing wrong with me.

@Nicky86Min 7 месяцев назад

@traceystock7352 Thanks for the reassuring reply. Much appreciated.

@NERunner Год назад

That was great, Tom. Like many runners I wear a Garmin forerunner watch that has a heart rate monitor. That feeds into zones in Strava. My issue with that is it assumes a standard calculation to work out the maximum heart rate - 220 minus age. Based on that I should be dead, so as a keen athlete how can I work out what the correct heart rate zones should be?

@MickleDoc Год назад

Unfortunatley, there's no great solution to this. Several different formulas have been developed (the one you refer to is the Fox Formula, but there are others, like the Tanaka formula) but they all fall foul of over or under estimates. You might be best using a heart monitor (chest straps more accurate that wrist watches) and matching HR with your self-perceived exercise intensity, in order to map out your own, personalised heart rate zones.

@NERunner Год назад

@@MickleDoc Thanks Tom, that's what I've been doing so it's nice to know I'm doing something like the right thing :)

@vigneshtks 8 месяцев назад

Hi I am a Android User Which Watch is best among these two for heart Tracking and ECG, Galaxy Watch 4 or Fitbit Charge 5 ?

@traceystock7352 7 месяцев назад

Fitbit Charge 5 is now owner by Google and will require Google account. May not matter to you where your data is stored but users who dont want to give Google their fitness data will lose al their data. Just thought I'd share.

@alexandermintskovsky2000 6 месяцев назад

Just turn off this unnecessary and distracting “music”

@DanStreiffert 10 месяцев назад

PlEASE TURN OFF THE BACKRTOUND MUSIC!

@user-rw7zu7ur5u 6 месяцев назад

I wanted to watch the video but the music doesn't sit right with me, I hear it more than I hear you. It's bothersome. I only lasted a minute. I'm out.

@MotoLoverCom 2 месяца назад

Hi Doc. Can you give me some advice. I have a fast heart rate even if Im in rest. My doctor also stops me from drinking coffee and everything that can cause palpitation. Doctors already perform ECG, Xray and even blood tests. And all the test was normal. But eventually I'm still suffering from palpitation, the suddenly my hands and face become numb and my vision get blurry. Can you tell me Doc what is the problem.

@flogerthata 2 месяца назад

I have the same thing, believe me.

@wakomikro Год назад

Just wondering why did you use old models?

@MickleDoc Год назад

Good question. It's because independent research comparing wearables is rare! This was the best research paper I could find on the subject with multiple participants (rather than just one person's review). Hopefully it still gives an idea of how the different algorithms can vary and that for some companies, the reality doesn't always match the marketing!

@user-el5we5qh9w 9 месяцев назад

My watch picked up an arrhythmia that was not picked up on 12 lead ekg at drs… I’m a believer…

@bobozwald3234 9 месяцев назад

You have a better chance of catching it with multiple smart watch readings than a single ecg from the doctor. You usually wear a 24 hour Holter monitor to catch it, since most arrhythmias aren't constant.

@R50_J0 7 месяцев назад

The stethoscope around your neck verifies you’re a physician? Take that thing off unless you’re in clinic.

@randallthomas5207 5 месяцев назад

If a patient had a history of ECG irregularities, it could be possible to install micro transmitters, on or in the thoracic cavity, to give true multi-channel ECG.

@noturbeezwaxbeaulac1383 Месяц назад

In many cases, after about a year the watch can't read the ECG any more. Don't buy it if the ECG functions. That happened to my watch, funny just after the warranty expired.

@jcinaz 6 месяцев назад

Your chart says that Kardia mobile is less accurate than Apple Watch 6. Have both. The Kardia takes a three point reading and shows six leads in the graph. My cardiologist says the Kardia gives more information, but neither the Kardia nor the watch are really useful in his opinion with the Kardia being somewhat more useful than the watch. He would prefer that I wear a device continuously, which is embedded under my skin. That doesn’t sound comfortable.

@Zedsta 2 месяца назад

What about the chest straps that measure heart

@davidbrinkman2768 Год назад

Have a look at the Fourth Frontier chest ECG. It is good enough for Paula Radcliffe and gives you continuous ECG.

@MickleDoc Год назад

I will do, thanks for the tip. I used to use a MyZone chest strap for heart rate monitoring too - it was consistently more accurate than my wrist-based wearables, so I tended to use it alongside my Smart Watch when exercising. Makes sense that the same principle would apply for ECG monitoring

@davidbrinkman2768 Год назад

@@MickleDoc I've been using it for heart issues and it's a lifesaver and the people running it are also very helpful. The device will record a single source ECG (lead 5?) for up to 24 hours, it is synced to the cloud and the link can then be sent directly to the cardiologist. Real-time ECG's can also be monitored. The cost might seem high but it is less than the private cost of a 3 day Holter monitor. It is being sold as a fitness device but it's real benefit is for people like myself.

@HaveFunDontDie 5 месяцев назад

Apple Watch woke me up with a Notification of Afib. This indicated constant monitoring. Not correctly reported.

@photosmithy 4 месяца назад

Sorry for such a dumb question will this pick up ST elevation?

@zaftra Месяц назад

well that explains why mum was flatlining when I tried it, I was holding the crown for her.

@jcinaz 6 месяцев назад

Good information, but the background music is annoyingly too loud. Thanks.

@ml3141 Год назад

If one finds out he has intermittent fibrillation, can anything be done about it currently? Unfortunately no! So, why one needs to find this out?

@MickleDoc 10 месяцев назад

In the UK, there is plenty we might still offer someone with intermittent AFib depending on their other risk factors. I would recommend that anyone who thinks they may have intermittent AFib speak with their medical team.

@ml3141 10 месяцев назад

@@MickleDoc would you please name a few of these possible interventions?

@traceystock7352 7 месяцев назад

@@ml3141 I'm going through this right now. Options are: 1). Do nothing as Afib is not necessarily dangerous in and of itself but could be if you have other factors. 2). If you have a sustained Afib episode you can have it cardioverted to sinus rhythm either electrically or with a drug -- under medical supervision usually at an ER. This ends the episode but many times it returns (but not always). 3). You can take a rate control medication like a beta blocker if you Afib is the type with a high heart rate. And also take an anti-arrhythmic drug like digoxin or flecainide to reduce the arrythmia. These would be all the time. Drugs have side effects. 4). You could practice "pill in the pocket" strategy which is to take the prescribed rate control and anti-arrhythmic drugs as needed however this is a decision that mut be made in close consult with the medical team base don your risk factors and other drugs. 5). You can get an ablation that is an invasive but usually safe surgery where the doctor freezes or cuts the nerve on your heart that is sending the bothersome signals. Sometimes it works, sometimes it needs subsequent procedures. Of course risk is always present in procedures. 6). There is a new device called a Watchman that prevents clots that are the most dangerous possible effect of Afib. I am not a doctor but a new Afib patient and am considering options so just sharing.

@KarenMVCA 8 месяцев назад

The background "sounds" (not really music) seriously distract from your important message.

@rubenlarotin3141 Год назад

👍we need more additional health professional help

@vonshango6311 Месяц назад

background music way too loud, can't hear clearly

@Jarhead1975 5 месяцев назад

Back In August of this year I had a stoke due to a AFIB. I am 47 years old. I weight 205 pounds 6 ft. I am in good health or thought I was. I picked up a samsung watch to monitor myself. This was after I had to ware a monitor for 2 weeks after leaving the hospital. I am not sure if this works accurately or not but I now have a eye out on my heart rhythm now. It is scary and I did sneak up in me. I suggest everyone should just be aware of this. 4 months later and I am back to 80% on my right side. I do experience brain fog from time to time. Everyone should get a smart device it could save them.

@Psychiatry.321 9 месяцев назад

Apple Watch Heart Rate Sensor is very accurate up to 98% - 99%, The Apple Watch tracks heart rate using photoplethysmography

@karliejadeparks Год назад

🎉 Shocking

@binaifermmogal 9 месяцев назад

There is a new watch called Cardiac Sense and it’s Israel technology and supposed to be very very accurate. But it’s expensive. Do you have any idea about this as I have MVP and AFib and I am told by my cardiologist to wear one?

@Caveman2437 7 месяцев назад

In April 2022 I had a lacuna infarction and my apple watch did not tell me

@ElCarnivoroBBQ 7 месяцев назад

You have to mess with the watch settings

@viplavshah1424 9 месяцев назад

FITVII WATCH GT5 APPROVED BY FDA

@havanadaurcy1321 2 месяца назад

I just did two readings Standing up 237 Lying down 094 ?

@williemclean3224 7 месяцев назад

Lose the music

@arrowrod 6 месяцев назад

How accurate are the doctor's electronic device's? Are they certified daily?

@wilurbean 8 месяцев назад

That's not at all how watches work. For example, the Garmin watches don't have exposed metallic frames. They're using green LEDs to watch for pulsation in the venous system. It's wildly different tech than ecg Which disproves the entire premise of this video, that they're 2 leed vs 12 leeds ecg.... Consult a biomed tech specialist before talking about technology. They're the guys in the basement of your hospital that fix medical equipment, you know the ones paid way more than doctors for a 4yr degree

@annalouisemurphy6024 Год назад

10 leads on the chest? Are you sure about that?

@zapman2100 Месяц назад

why do all these youtubers put music in the background this is video is useless since you cant hear any of the info hes talking about.

@hiremathrs6353 3 месяца назад

Long boring explanation.. be sharp to the point, the music definitely adds to more irritation

@lookatcha 11 месяцев назад

The last thing I need as a doctor is 21 year old Stacey sending me a million “abnormal” ecgs after heavy night out every Friday

@ismathem 11 месяцев назад

Haha funny.

@MrWhaatay Год назад

Smart watches aren't accurate but neither is medical equipment. That's why they tell you to average blood pressure readings and heart rates can show 140 one second and 40 the next.

@MickleDoc Год назад

You're right, averages and trends with any med-tech are always more useful than snapshot readings, since we're always adapting to our environment . If we kept a pulse of 60 bpm every second, we'd collapse every time we needed to run somewhere!

@Vikingdescendent 3 месяца назад

Could be the device is not attached properly...

@MrIzeQ Год назад

The loud and noisy background music made this barely watchable, sorry

@MickleDoc Год назад

Thanks for the honest feedback - I think I went wrong with the audio in this vid. Will make sure I turn it down a notch in the next one

@lindalangve9039 Год назад

I am a 66 year old who got an Apple Watch in 2020. It picked up and kept alerting me to a low heart rate. I used the ecg function to record my heart rate and showed this to my doctor. She put me on a 12 lead ecg and sent me to a cardiologist after that. In August of 2021 I received a pacemaker to control Sick Sinus Syndrome. Without the feedback from the watch I might have ignored the symptoms, passed out while driving and killed myself or someone else. There is a place for wearable technology especially when it prompts you to go to your doctor. My pacemaker will do a much better job of reporting any rhythm irregularities but I have to thank the Apple Watch for the initial detection of the issues I was having.