How Does a Smartwatch ECG Differ from a Clinical ECG? (Comparison)
You feel a flutter in your chest. You look down at your wrist, tap an app, and thirty seconds later, your smartwatch tells you it detects signs of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). It’s a technological marvel right on your wrist. But when you arrive at the emergency room, the first thing they do is hook you up to a large machine with wires strapped all over your chest for another ECG. Why? If your watch already gave you an answer, why do doctors need the hospital machine? Understanding the difference between these two technologies is vital. One is an incredibly useful alarm system; the other is a complete diagnostic toolkit. The Short Answer What is the main difference? The fundamental difference is the "view" of the heart. A smartwatch ECG is a "single-lead" device , providing only one, limited viewing angle of the heart's electrical activity. It is primarily a screening tool for rhythm irregularities like AFib. A clinical ECG is a "12-lead" diagnosti...