Withings – a company that has built a reputation for creating stylish smartwatches with a clear focus on health – has announced the Australian availability of its ScanWatch It is the first smartwatch on the market here that includes clinically approved ECG functionality
While other smartwatches can monitor and record your heart rate, only the Withings ScanWatch has been approved by the Australian Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration as a medical device. It has beaten Apple, Fitbit, Garmin and all the other players who offer similar portable devices with ECG material available on board but which unfortunately are not approved for Down Under use
This will be of particular interest to the roughly 475,000 Australians with atrial fibrillation (Afib), which is an irregular heartbeat that increases the risk of stroke or heart attack Many people will not be aware that they could have this disease, and early detection through a product like this could be a critical element leading to treatment and a long, healthy life.
If the ScanWatch detects an irregular heartbeat, it will alert the user and recommend that they record an ECG.This information is then displayed in the app, which includes in-depth diagnostic information and recommendations – albeit in case like this it is best to see your doctor immediately
The ScanWatch also includes an associated heart monitoring feature that can detect breathing disturbances during sleep, which could be related to sleep apnea, as well as measuring oxygen saturation An oxygen saturation reading can be executed at any time, taking approximately 30 seconds to complete
Beyond that, the ScanWatch includes all the usual fitness-oriented smartwatch features, including sleep monitoring and 24/7 activity tracking with various fitness and workout programs to follow The ScanWatch water resistant up to 50m and has an estimated battery life of up to 30 days
The Withings ScanWatch will be available exclusively in JB Hi-Fi from November 9 It is available in sizes 38 mm (479 AUD) and 42 mm (499 AUD), with black or white faces associated with a silicone strap standard, although a variety of optional bands are also available
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Withings, Smartwatch, Apple, Australia, wearable technology, electrocardiography
News from around the world – AU – Withings beats Apple Watch with the first ECG smartwatch in Australia
