Title: Diagnostic Accuracy and Usability of Smartwatches for Detecting Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Literature Review for Clinical Decision-Making
Authors: Michael X. Etter and Dr. Bruce Lazar, MBA, DM
Volume: 9
Issue: 8
Pages: 31-39
Publication Date: 2025/08/28
Abstract:
Atrial fibrillation is estimated to affect around 12.1 million people in the United States, with over 200,000 death certificates mentioning atrial fibrillation in 2021. Smartwatches can monitor an individual's heart rhythm and send alarms for irregular rhythms. With roughly one in five Americans using a smartwatch or fitness tracker regularly, these devices have the potential for improved home monitoring and diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. This systematic literature review aimed to determine whether smartwatches could be utilized as home monitors for the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. A search was conducted using PubMed/Medline and CINAHL academic databases following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Data from 17 articles were evaluated and screened to answer the research question. Five main themes were identified: 1) diagnostic accuracy of smartwatches for atrial fibrillation, 2) data usability, 3) integration of data into clinical decision-making, 4) patient acceptance/usability, and 5) cost-effectiveness. Results indicate that smartwatches have potential for atrial monitoring and diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, with clinician intervention recommended for the evaluation of smartwatch data. Findings on diagnostic accuracy, usability, and integration suggest that further research focused on advancing smartwatch technology and algorithms could improve atrial fibrillation detection, encouraging healthcare leaders to incorporate wearables into care services to enhance patient outcomes and system efficiency.