A new study in South Korea has found that smartwatches can warn users several minutes before they faint. Conducted jointly by Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital, the research focused on detecting vasovagal syncope, a condition that causes sudden drops in heart rate and blood pressure leading to fainting. The findings, published in the European Heart Journal Digital Health, mark the first successful attempt to predict fainting using a commercial smartwatch.

The study used Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6, which monitored participants’ heart rate variability and biosignals through its photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor. Data from 132 patients suspected of having vasovagal syncope were analyzed using an AI-based prediction model. The system achieved an accuracy rate of about 84.6 percent, with 90 percent sensitivity and 64 percent specificity.

Researchers noted that early warnings could help patients sit down, move to a safe place, or seek help in time, reducing the risk of injury from sudden falls.