Withings latest smartwatch is engineered to save lives

The Withings ScanWatch can monitor for conditions like AFib and sleep apnea

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Withings is at CES 2020 with an all-new smartwatch developed in-part by cardiologists and sleep experts, furthering their movement into truly medical-grade devices. Called the ScanWatch, Withings’ latest creation builds on the Move ECG released in 2019.

The French company bills the ScanWatch as its “most medically advanced wearable to date.” Whereas Move ECG is designed to detect and monitor irregular heart rhythms known as AFib, ScanWatch detects AFib, sleep apnea, and more.

As with Move ECG, the purpose of the ScanWatch is to help the wearer and their doctor identify potentially serious health conditions earlier than otherwise possible. Medical conditions such as AFib, for example, are intermittent, and easily missed during infrequent doctor visits. Further, depending on the individual, the signs and symptoms of AFib could be subtle enough to go unnoticed — life-threatening as the condition is linked to blood clots, heart failure, and nearly 30 percent of strokes.

ScanWatch uses an embedded PPG sensor to monitor heart rhythm. When the sensor detects an irregularity, the user is prompted to start an ECG reading. Withings says the watch’s ECG feature is clinically proven, allowing the user to see their results in real-time via the watch display. These recordings are stored on your smartphone and can be shared with your doctor.

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Unfortunately, sleep apnea — a disorder that causes breathing to be interrupted during sleep — also proves evasive when it comes to early detection and is linked to depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart trouble. According to Withings, ScanWatch uses SpO2 technology to measure the amount of oxygenated hemoglobin in the blood, which helps to detect sleep apnea. In addition, the watch records and analyzes the length, depth, and quality of your sleep.

Additional capabilities include your standard smartwatch features such as step and calorie counting, distance and elevation tracking, GPS-based route tracking, and more. The housing is crafted from 316L stainless steel with a sapphire glass face and your choice of wristbands. Users can toggle between different statistics by interfacing with the newly designed digital crown on the side of the watch.

Pending FDA clearance, Withings says the watch will be available in Q2 2020 with a price range of $250 to $300 via Amazon, Best Buy, or the company’s official website.

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