The FDA recently cleared AliveCor's electrocardiogram accessory for the Apple Watch, the Mountain View, Calif.-based company announced Nov. 30.
AliveCor, a developer of personal EKG gadgets, released KardiaBand as a medical app for Apple Watch users. KardiaBand, which enables users to take 30-second EKG readings, displays heart rhythm findings on the face of the smartwatch.
The company also introduced an artificial intelligence feature called SmartRhythm within the app Nov. 30. SmartRhythm continuously evaluates a user's heart rate alongside the Apple Watch's activity sensors. When these values are out of sync, the app encourages users to capture an EKG reading, according to AliveCor officials.
"These capabilities will allow people to easily and discreetly check their heart rhythms when they may be abnormal, capturing essential information to help doctors identify the issue and inform a clear path of care to help manage [atrial fibrillation], a leading cause of stroke, and other serious conditions," said Vic Gundotra, CEO of AliveCor.