FDA Clears Google Smartwatch Feature for Emergency Heart Monitoring
FDA Clears Google Smartwatch Feature for Emergency Heart Monitoring
Published by: Cardiovascular Business | Date: February 27, 2025
Overview
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Loss of Pulse Detection, a new smartwatch feature from Google that detects when a person’s heart stops beating and automatically alerts emergency services.
How It Works
• The smartwatch asks the user if they are OK when it first detects a loss of pulse.
• If no response is given, it triggers an alarm and countdown before notifying emergency services.
• If the countdown reaches zero, an official emergency alert is sent.
Availability
• The feature is already available in 14 countries.
• It will soon launch in the U.S. for the Google Pixel Watch 3.
Other Health & Safety Features in Pixel Watch
• Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications (detects atrial fibrillation).
• Safety Check (sends location to a contact if the user does not respond).
• Fall & Car Crash Detection (calls for help in accidents).
Development & Testing
• Built with AI algorithms and digital signal processing.
• Google collaborated with cardiologists and used hundreds of thousands of hours of real-time data.
• Testing included stunt actors simulating real-world pulse loss scenarios.
Significance
This is a first-of-its-kind innovation in wearable health technology, offering enhanced safety for individuals at risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
