Samsung smartwatches will soon predict when their user is about to faint: What it means for users

Samsung may soon enable its smartwatches to predict when a user is about to faint. This follows results from a joint clinical study conducted with Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital. According to the findings, future Galaxy Watch devices may offer early warnings for vasovagal syncope (VVS), a condition that causes sudden drops in heart rate and blood pressure, leading to a temporary loss of consciousness.The study used biosignals collected from the Galaxy Watch6 and applied artificial intelligence to detect patterns associated with fainting episodes, indicating a shift toward preventive healthcare enabled by wearable devices.Vasovagal syncope occurs when your body reacts to stress or another trigger by rapidly dropping your blood pressure and heart rate. The condition itself is usually not life-threatening but can cause injuries from falls.Junhwan Cho from Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital said, “Up to 40% of people experience vasovagal syncope over their lifetime, with one-third experiencing recurrent episodes. An early warning could give patients advance time to get into a safe position or call for help, which would dramatically reduce the incidence of secondary injuries.”The research involved 132 patients undergoing induced fainting tests. Using a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor on the Galaxy Watch 6, the team analysed heart rate variability (HRV) data with an AI model. The system predicted fainting episodes up to 5 minutes in advance with an accuracy of 84.6%, sensitivity of 90%, and specificity of 64%.The findings suggest that future smartwatch features could alert users before a fainting episode, allowing them to take precautionary measures, such as sitting down or seeking assistance.“This study is an example of how wearable technology can help shift healthcare from being designed for ‘post-care’ to a model of ‘preventive care. We are committed to driving technological innovation that empowers our users to lead healthier everyday lives,” Jongmin Choi, Head of Health R&D Group of Samsung Mobile eXperience (MX) business, said in a press release.The research has been published in the journal European Heart Journal Digital Health, highlighting the growing role of consumer devices for health monitoring.Samsung aims to expand its partnerships with medical institutions and keep adding health-focused features to its wearables, demonstrating its continued dedication to personalised and preventive health care solutions.