Your Fitbit just got a life-saving free upgrade that helps it rival the Apple Watch

Fitbit well being trackers have simply begun getting a vitally essential new well being characteristic. The Google-owned sensible machine maker has simply rolled out a serious firmware replace which is able to alert customers to indicators they’re affected by atrial fibrillation. The situation, generally referred to as A-fib or AF, results in an individual experiencing an irregular or very fast coronary heart rhythm.

In addition to inflicting signs resembling dizziness, shortness of breath, tiredness and coronary heart palpitations, individuals with AF are at an elevated danger of getting a stroke and in excessive instances it could additionally result in coronary heart failure.

Different well being trackers such because the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy smartwatches have lengthy been in a position to detect indicators of AF by way of their electrocardiogram (ECG) instruments.

However what separates Fitbit’s providing is latest units will have the ability to detect indicators of AF passively, with out the necessity for a corresponding app to be opened.

This vitally essential well being characteristic might be delivered by way of the brand new Irregular Coronary heart Rhythm Notifications instrument.

The characteristic might be accessible first on 9 not too long ago launched Fitbit units such because the Sense and Cost 5.

As 9to5Google reported, the AF detection instrument has simply been rolled out by Fitbit within the US after the American Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) gave the characteristic the all clear.

When it comes to different areas, Fitbit prospects might want to watch for the inexperienced gentle from related authorities of their nation earlier than it is rolled out.

In a submit on-line Fitbit outlined which units will assist the AF detection instrument, and what software program model customers might want to run.

You’ll find a full record of the supported units under. Explaining how the characteristic works, Fitbit mentioned: “Fitbit smartwatches and trackers have optical sensors that may detect the heart beat of blood that goes to your wrist with each heartbeat. The Fitbit Irregular Rhythm Notifications characteristic collects coronary heart rhythm and movement information to test for indicators of AFib. Once you activate the characteristic, your coronary heart rhythm information are collected within the background when you are nonetheless or sleeping, and analysed for AFib when your information sync with the Fitbit app. After your client wrist-worn product collects sufficient analysable pulse charge information, we take a look at your beat-to-beat measurements to test for irregularities. Beat-to-beat measurements point out how rapidly one coronary heart beat comes after the opposite . It’s usually measured in milliseconds (ms) and transformed into beats per minute (bpm). Usually, these measurements are comparatively predictable and clean. Huge will increase or decreases (over 10 bpm) in a brief time period could also be thought of irregular.”

FITBIT DEVICES THAT SUPPORT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION NOTIFICATIONS

Fitbit Sense — firmware model 44.128.1.42 or increased

Fitbit Versa 3 — firmware model 36.128.1.42 or increased

Fitbit Versa 2 — firmware model 35.68.9.7 or increased

Fitbit Versa Lite — firmware model 38.33.1.30 or increased

Fitbit Cost 5 — firmware model 20001.141.4 or increased

Fitbit Luxe — firmware model 58.20001.130.17 or increased

Fitbit Cost 4 — firmware model 20001.78.33 or increased

Fitbit Cost 3 — firmware model 20001.49.45 or increased

Fitbit Encourage 2 — firmware model 20001.98.14 or increased