Galaxy Watch 6 Predicts Vasovagal Syncope at 84.6% Accuracy

Samsung Electronics announced on Thursday that a clinical study with ChungAng University Gwangmyeong Hospital in South Korea has demonstrated the Galaxy Watch 6's ability to predict vasovagal syncope, the most common form of fainting, up to five minutes in advance with 84.6 percent accuracy.

Vasovagal syncope occurs when heart rate and blood pressure drop suddenly, often due to triggers such as stress, pain, prolonged standing or emotional distress. While the fainting episode itself is typically not life-threatening, the resulting falls can cause serious secondary injuries including fractures, concussions and cerebral hemorrhage, particularly among the elderly.

The joint research, led by Professor Junhwan Cho from the hospital's cardiology department, involved 132 patients with suspected vasovagal syncope symptoms. Participants underwent induced fainting tests, known as head-up tilt tests, while wearing the Galaxy Watch 6. The device's photoplethysmography sensor, which measures heart rate and rhythm, collected real-time heart rate variability data. An artificial intelligence algorithm then analyzed the data for patterns signaling an impending episode.