A smart toilet seat developed by German company Hamberger Medical can detect atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common heart rhythm disorder, with accuracy comparable to conventional electrocardiogram (EKG) tests, according to a study.
The HARO EKG-seat integrates EKG sensors that analyze heart rhythm data when a user sits on the toilet for approximately 30 seconds. A connected smartphone app then processes the information for signs of cardiac arrhythmia.
Researchers compared the toilet seat's 6-lead EKG system to the standard 12-lead medical EKG, finding a high level of agreement. Hamberger Medical noted that test subjects were able to use the seat without special instructions, making it simpler than traditional EKG procedures.
AFib affects an estimated 12.1 million American adults, a number projected to rise by 2030. The condition causes an irregular heartbeat and can often go undetected, as approximately one-third of patients experience no symptoms. Early detection is considered critical for effective treatment and improved patient outcomes. Dr. Paari Dominic, a cardiac electrophysiologist, highlighted that intervening sooner in AFib patients significantly improves their health outcomes.
Undiagnosed AFib is a leading cause of stroke, accounting for about one in seven strokes, which are often severe due to clots originating in the heart. More than 5 million adults in the U.S. currently live with AFib, with cases increasing with age. Women are more likely to develop the condition due to longer life expectancies.
Risk factors for AFib include high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, sleep apnea, hyperthyroidism, smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption. Notably, one-third of new AFib diagnoses are linked to alcohol use, with binge drinking around holidays sometimes triggering what is known as "holiday heart syndrome."