Samsung watches can predict if you're about to faint - but there are big caveats

"Samsung revealed this week that a joint clinical study with Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital in Korea validated the Galaxy Watch 6's ability to predict vasovagal syncope, or VVS. The study used the device's photoplethysmography, or PPG, sensor to analyze heart rate variability data, then applied an AI algorithm to predict VVS during head-up tilt testing."

"Samsung called the research the "world's first study" to demonstrate the potential for a commercial smartwatch to provide early prediction of syncope. The findings were published in European Heart Journal - Digital Health."

"Vasovagal syncope is one of the most common types of fainting, with "up to 40% of people" experiencing it in their lifetime, according to Junhwan Cho, a professor in the department of cardiology at Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital. It happens when heart rate and blood pressure abruptly drop, often because of stress, dehydration, standing too long, or another trigger."

""The injuries from sudden falls can be very real," Dr. Sam Setareh, director of cardiology and cardiovascular performance at Beverly Hills Cardiovascular and Longevity Institute told ZDNET. "Even a few minutes of warning could be meaningful: sit or lie down, hydrate, perform counterpressure maneuvers, or call for help. That could reduce falls, fractures, concussions, and other secondary injuries.""

Samsung announced that the Galaxy Watch 6 may predict vasovagal syncope or blackout before it happens. A joint clinical study with Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital in Korea used the watch’s photoplethysmography sensor to analyze heart rate variability data. An AI algorithm applied those data to predict vasovagal syncope during head-up tilt testing. Samsung described the work as the first study demonstrating early prediction of syncope using a commercial smartwatch. Vasovagal syncope is common, and fainting can cause injuries from sudden falls even when the fainting itself is not life-threatening. Early warnings could allow people to sit or lie down, hydrate, use counterpressure maneuvers, or seek help to reduce secondary injuries.

Read at ZDNET