Your smartwatch can predict if you’re about to faint, research finds

A team of researchers at Chung-Ang University Hospital in South Korea has created the world’s first AI system to predict fainting episodes using data from a Samsung Galaxy Watch. The study involved 132 patients and leveraged the watch’s photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor to monitor heart rate variability, feeding this data into an algorithm that detected signs of vasovagal syncope up to five minutes before it occurred, with over 80% accuracy. The system aims to prevent injuries caused by falls during fainting episodes, which can range from minor trauma to severe conditions like fractures or cerebral hemorrhage. Professor Junhwan Cho, who led the research, stated that early warnings could allow patients to take precautions, such as sitting down or seeking assistance. The technology was tested exclusively on the Galaxy Watch 6, making it the first commercial smartwatch to achieve this level of predictive capability. Samsung’s health research lead, Jongmin Choi, highlighted how this innovation shifts healthcare toward preventative care, emphasizing the company’s commitment to integrating such advancements into future wearable devices. The findings were published in *European Heart Journal – Digital Health* under the title ‘Prediction of vasovagal syncope using artificial intelligence-enabled smartwatch photoplethysmography-derived heart rate variability.’ Samsung has indicated plans to incorporate these health monitoring features into upcoming smartwatches and other wearable technologies.