Samsung announced that a joint clinical study with Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital in South Korea showed that the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 may help predict vasovagal syncope (VVS), a common type of fainting caused by a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure.
The study involved 132 patients who showed symptoms related to VVS during induced fainting tests.
Researchers used the smartwatch’s photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor to collect heart rate variability (HRV) data, which was then analyzed using an AI algorithm.
According to the results, the system was able to predict possible fainting episodes up to five minutes before they happened with an accuracy rate of 84.6 percent.
The study also recorded a sensitivity of 90 percent and a specificity of 64 percent.
Researchers said early detection could help patients prepare before losing consciousness, such as sitting down or asking for help, which may reduce injuries caused by falls.
The findings were published in the medical journal European Heart Journal – Digital Health.
Samsung said this is the first study to demonstrate the potential of a commercial smartwatch for early fainting prediction.
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