Paperdoi:10.1007/s11886-026-02445-6
Wearable Arrhythmia Detection: Moving from your Watch to your Shirt?
Current Cardiology Reports
TL;DR
Narrative review of wearable AF screening/diagnosis. Single-lead ECG devices have strongest evidence; smartwatches extensively studied. Notes motion artefacts and semi-continuous monitoring limits; calls for AI artefact handling and outcome trials (stroke, HF).
- Form factor: wrist
Abstract
Purpose of Review
Digital devices play an increasingly important role in the detection and screening of cardiac arrhythmias. Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common arrhythmia, is associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart failure, and mortality. This review summarises the current evidence on wearable devices for screening and diagnosing atrial fibrillation.
Recent findings
Numerous studies have demonstrated the value of wearables for AF detection and diagnosis. In addition, artificial intelligence enhances automated rhythm analysis and signal processing, supporting the increasing clinical implementation of digital technologies in outpatient care.
Single-lead ECG devices provide the strongest evidence for AF detection, with smartwatches representing one of the most extensively investigated wearable technology. Limitations include motion artefacts and predominantly semi-continuous monitoring. Future research should focus on integrating artificial intelligence to improve signal analysis and artefact reduction, and on evaluating the impact of wearable-based strategies on clinically relevant outcomes, including stroke and heart failure.
Verbatim from the publisher's DOI record (opens in a new tab) · Publisher licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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Cite this paper
Beermann, J., & Duncker, D. (2026). Wearable Arrhythmia Detection: Moving from your Watch to your Shirt? Current Cardiology Reports. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-026-02445-6
Beermann, J.L. and D. Duncker. 2026. "Wearable Arrhythmia Detection: Moving from your Watch to your Shirt?" Current Cardiology Reports. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-026-02445-6.
Beermann, J. and Duncker, D. (2026) 'Wearable Arrhythmia Detection: Moving from your Watch to your Shirt?', Current Cardiology Reports. doi: 10.1007/s11886-026-02445-6.
Beermann, J.L., and D. Duncker "Wearable Arrhythmia Detection: Moving from your Watch to your Shirt?" Current Cardiology Reports, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-026-02445-6.
J. Beermann and D. Duncker, "Wearable Arrhythmia Detection: Moving from your Watch to your Shirt?" Current Cardiology Reports, 2026, doi: 10.1007/s11886-026-02445-6.
@article{beermann2026wearable,
title = {{Wearable Arrhythmia Detection: Moving from your Watch to your Shirt?}},
author = {Beermann, J.L. and Duncker, D.},
year = {2026},
journal = {Current Cardiology Reports},
doi = {10.1007/s11886-026-02445-6}
}Added to the ChatPPG research hub
