Fitbit Inc. launched a new, large-scale study to test its devices’ capabilities of detecting Atrial Fibrillation, or irregular heart rhythms. This phenomenon is the most common form of heart rhythm irregularity found in the human heart. It can even increase the risk of having a stroke, usually prevalent in the population above the age of 65.
Following Apple’s Path to Success
Apple has had tremendous success with its Apple Watch Series 5 with its vital stats detection capabilities. It has also been praised for countless incidents of having detected abnormal heart rates and informing the wearer of seeking medical help in time. Fitbit wants to leave no scope of being left behind after having led the market in wearable fitness devices. It specializes in wearable health-based devices and would not want Apple to take over its long grown market share. “They have the unique potential to accelerate AFib detection because their 24/7 heart rate tracking is powered by long battery life. The battery life gives users the ability to wear the devices for several days”, said Fitbit.
Fitbit devices in the past, such as the Ionic and Versa already had capable hardware. These could detect such anomalies but hadn’t matured enough to notify users of the same. Thus, Fitbit has been working on this technology for quite some time now and wants to mature it to a stage that it can roll out feature updates for its current users. They hope to enroll thousands of people for this study, but only people living in the US above the age of 22 are eligible.
Right Moves can Help Fitbit Attract Customers
Alphabet Inc (Parent company to Google) acquired Fitbit in November 2019. Fitbit announced back then, its intentions to detect irregular heart-rates to match Apple’s wearable watch series. Moreover, their plans to partner with Bristol-Myers Squibb-Pfizer Alliance on how to communicate with wearers about such medical implications were also announced. This move towards bio-technical advancement could help Fitbit expand its users to a larger population. Elders, senior citizens, or patients having cardiac health implications would also be attracted to this life-saving innovation.
