Nature Podcast If your heart stops, this smartwatch-AI can call for help
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Feb 26, 2025 Jake Sunshine, a Google researcher, discusses his work on an innovative smartwatch AI designed to detect cardiac arrest and automatically call for help. The AI leverages data from medical procedures to improve detection accuracy and potentially save lives. Sunshine highlights the importance of reducing false alarms while enhancing real-time monitoring in emergencies. Moreover, he touches on advancements in health technology and intriguing discoveries in ancient plant fossils, showcasing a blend of cutting-edge science and historical insights.
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Cardiac Arrest Detection
- Cardiac arrests are life-threatening events where the heart suddenly stops beating, often due to arrhythmias or heart attacks.
- Millions experience cardiac arrests yearly, with 50-75% going unwitnessed, increasing the risk of death.
Challenges in Studying Cardiac Arrests
- Studying cardiac arrests is challenging due to their rarity and life-threatening nature.
- Gathering data requires careful collaboration with cardiologists and patients undergoing procedures.
Smartwatch Data Collection
- Researchers used smartwatches with photoplethysmography to measure vascular changes during heartbeats.
- They collaborated with cardiologists and patients with implanted defibrillators to capture heart-stopping events during testing.