Future Galaxy Watches May Predict Fainting Before It Happens

In recent years, Samsung’s smartwatches have evolved into advanced health-monitoring devices. Now, new research suggests that future Galaxy Watch models may even be able to predict fainting before it happens. This could help users avoid serious injuries from sudden falls.

Researchers used the Galaxy Watch 6 to collect biosignal data

While fainting is usually not life-threatening, it can still be dangerous. If a person suddenly loses consciousness and falls on a hard surface, this could lead to serious injuries such as fractures or concussions. As a result, an early warning system could play a key role in improving patient safety.

Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is a common condition for sudden fainting due to a drop in heart rate and blood pressure. Researchers at Samsung and Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital successfully validated the ability to predict vasovagal syncope using Galaxy Watches. More specifically, they used the photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor on a Watch 6 to collect biosignal data from patients during testing.

To test the idea, researchers conducted evaluations of 132 patients with suspected VVS symptoms. During fainting tests, participants wore a Galaxy Watch, which helped the team analyze heart rate variability (HRV) data using an AI algorithm. The system predicted impending fainting episodes up to 5 minutes in advance. The accuracy reached 84.6 percent, with a sensitivity of 90 percent and a specificity of 64 percent.

“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,’” said Jongmin Choi, Head of Health R&D Group, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business, Samsung Electronics. “We are committed to driving technological innovation that empowers our users to lead healthier everyday lives.”

If you want to learn more about the findings, you can read the study in the journal “European Heart Journal – Digital Health.” This is the world’s first study to showcase the possibility of a commercial smartwatch to deliver early syncope prediction. Hopefully, Samsung will bring this feature to future Galaxy Watch models and take wearable healthcare to the next level.