Open AccessEnhancing Healthcare Access–Smartphone Apps in Arrhythmia Screening: Viewpoint
Author(s) -
Marcin Książczyk,
Agnieszka Dębska-Kozłowska,
Izabela Warchoł,
Andrzej Lubiński
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
jmir mhealth and uhealth
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 50
ISSN - 2291-5222
DOI - 10.2196/23425
Subject(s) - smartwatch , atrial fibrillation , medicine , cardiac arrhythmia , mhealth , mobile apps , medical emergency , heart rhythm , internet privacy , cardiology , computer science , psychological intervention , wearable computer , world wide web , psychiatry , embedded system
Atrial fibrillation is the most commonly reported arrhythmia and, if undiagnosed or untreated, may lead to thromboembolic events. It is therefore desirable to provide screening to patients in order to detect atrial arrhythmias. Specific mobile apps and accessory devices, such as smartphones and smartwatches, may play a significant role in monitoring heart rhythm in populations at high risk of arrhythmia. These apps are becoming increasingly common among patients and professionals as a part of mobile health. The rapid development of mobile health solutions may revolutionize approaches to arrhythmia screening. In this viewpoint paper, we assess the availability of smartphone and smartwatch apps and evaluate their efficacy for monitoring heart rhythm and arrhythmia detection. The findings obtained so far suggest they are on the right track to improving the efficacy of early detection of atrial fibrillation, thus lowering the risk of stroke and reducing the economic burden placed on public health.