Withings Announces Nordic Availability of ScanWatch

Withings, pioneers of the digital health and connected analog watches, announce the Nordic availability of ScanWatch after receiving the CE marking for medical devices. Developed by cardiologists and sleep experts, it is the world's first clinically validated hybrid smartwatch to detect both atrial fibrillation (AFib) and overnight breathing disturbances. Withings’ most medically advanced wearable to date, it boasts an exceptional battery life of up to 30 days and is designed to help users and their physicians monitor overall health through a wearable that identifies highly prevalent, yet largely underdiagnosed cardiovascular, respiratory and sleep breathing issues early.

In-depth Cardiovascular Health Monitoring
AFib is the main form of irregular heart rhythm that is often underdiagnosed as it can be intermittent and easily missed if symptoms are not occurring during infrequent doctors’ visit. ScanWatch can detect if a user has AFib thanks to its ability to take a medical-grade ECG on-demand. ScanWatch also enables users to identify if their heart rhythm is slow, high or shows sign of AFib through a proactive heart scanning feature. Through its embedded PPG sensor, the device has the ability to monitor heart rate, which allows it to alert the user to a potential heart event even if they don’t feel palpitations. When ScanWatch detects an irregular heartbeat through its heart rate sensor, it will prompt the user via the watch display to record an ECG in just 30 seconds.

Breathing Disturbances Detection
One billion people are estimated to suffer from mild to severe sleep apnea, however, 8 out of 10 people don’t know they have it.^[1] ScanWatch can detect the presence of breathing disturbances during sleep, meaning the user has stopped breathing for several seconds multiple times a night, which can be a sign of sleep apnea. Sleep breathing disturbances are detected by an exclusive algorithm based on an analysis of blood oxygen level, heart rate, movement and breathing frequency, collected through ScanWatch’s accelerometer and the optical sensor.

Currently, users can see the intensity of breathing disturbances that occurred during the night, in the Health Mate app, from low to high. Medical-grade sleep apnea detection will automatically become available following further regulatory approval later this year.

In addition, ScanWatch provides sophisticated sleep monitoring and analysis of sleep patterns, including the length, depth and quality of sleep, and can wake users up with a gentle vibration at the best time of their sleep cycle.

“We announced ScanWatch earlier this year to an enthusiastic response. With the CE mark regulatory approval for AFib detection and SpO2 measurement, we are delighted to be able to make ScanWatch available to customers in Nordic now, with medical-grade sleep apnea detection coming later this year as well as U.S. availability”, says Mathieu Letombe, CEO of Withings.

Withings is currently involved in a research initiative with the Department of Cardiology at the university hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, which is integrating ScanWatch into a COVID-19 patient monitoring project.

Activity & Workout Tracking
ScanWatch is a sophisticated activity monitor able to track parameters such as steps, calories, elevation, workout routes (via connected GPS) and can automatically recognize more than 30 daily activities such as walking, running, swimming and cycling. In addition, it offers Fitness Level assessments through an estimation of an indicator called VO2 Max, which measures the heart and muscles ability to convert oxygen into energy during physical exercise.

Availability
ScanWatch has been created to fit elegantly into anyone’s lives. Designed with a stainless steel case and durable sapphire glass watch face, it features a large digital display as well as easy navigation through a newly created crown dial. Additionally, ScanWatch is waterproof and features an exceptional battery life of up to 30 days.

ScanWatch is commercially available in Europe for €279/£249.95 (38mm) and for €299/ £279.95 (42mm) at withings.com, Amazon and select consumer electronics retailers. It will be available in the United States later this year, following FDA-clearance, for $279 (38mm) and $299 (42 mm) online at withings.com and Amazon as well as at Best Buy stores.

Information about resellers in the Nordics, please contact victoria.malmberg@rlvnt.se.