HeartWatch for Arrhythmia

(CATCH Trial)

This trial tests the HeartWatch, a new device for monitoring heart rhythm disorders like atrial fibrillation and slow heartbeats. Current options are either short-term or require surgery, but the HeartWatch is worn on the upper arm and pairs with a smartphone app for easy tracking of symptoms over a longer period. It suits individuals needing a Holter monitor test who can wear the HeartWatch on their left arm and have a bicep circumference between 22 cm and 45 cm. Participants should not have a pacemaker or defibrillator. As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to innovative research that could lead to more accessible heart monitoring solutions.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Research has shown that smartwatches, such as the HeartWatch, effectively detect heart rhythm issues. Specifically, studies have found these consumer smartwatches accurately identify atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat. The FDA has approved them for this use, confirming their safety.

Researchers are excited about HeartWatch for arrhythmia because it offers a novel way to monitor heart rhythms more continuously and conveniently compared to traditional methods like the Holter monitor. Unlike the standard Holter monitor, which typically records heart activity over a short period, HeartWatch allows for ongoing real-time monitoring, potentially leading to quicker identification of irregular heartbeats. This continuous engagement could improve the management of arrhythmia by catching episodes that might be missed with intermittent monitoring, giving doctors better data to tailor treatments.

Research has shown that wearable devices like HeartWatch, which participants in this trial will use, can accurately detect heart rhythm issues. Studies have found that similar technology is about 93% accurate in identifying serious heart rhythm problems. In one study, smartwatches detected atrial fibrillation (a type of irregular heartbeat) with high accuracy—96% sensitivity and 94% specificity. Another study found that smartwatches detected more irregular heartbeats than traditional monitors. This suggests that HeartWatch could effectively spot various heart rhythm disorders, potentially more reliably than older monitoring methods.¹⁴⁶⁷⁸