Huawei Tests Diabetes Risk Detection on Smartwatches

Diabetes continues to be one of the most rapidly increasing health issues globally, affecting millions who may not even be aware they have it. Identifying the early warning signs can significantly impact outcomes, and Huawei claims its latest smartwatch feature is intended to assist by subtly detecting possible diabetes risk through the health data already monitored by your watch.

How Huawei employs PPG to evaluate the likelihood of diabetes

At the core of Huawei's diabetes risk feature lies photoplethysmography, commonly referred to as PPG. This is a non-invasive optical technique that monitors slight variations in blood flow just under the skin.

If that seems familiar, it's because many smartwatches, including theHuawei Watch 5, which already uses PPG technologyto track heart rate and blood oxygen levels. Huawei is now using these same signals to examine patterns that could be associated with diabetes risk.

You need to wear the watch consistently for a period ranging from 3 to 14 days. Throughout this time, the device continuously collects heart-related data from your wrist. The Diabetes Risk app then categorizes the findings into low, moderate, or high-risk levels.

If you are part of the medium or high-risk category, the app will advise you to speak with a medical expert for appropriate health testing.

To verify the system's effectiveness, Huawei has collaborated with Dubai Health to examine the accuracy of the watch's results in comparison to hospital tests like fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and OGTT.

Nevertheless, Huawei emphasizes that this feature is not classified as a medical device. Its purpose is to increase awareness and promote timely response, rather than to diagnose diabetes.

Other wearable device manufacturers are seeking comparable health data

Huawei is not the only one in this competition.Apple is investigating artificial intelligence-driven solutions to forecast structural heart conditions.using information from upcoming Apple Watch models, whileSamsung is developing functionalities capable of identifying initial indicators of dementia..

Currently, Huawei's diabetes risk feature can be accessed on the Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro through an over-the-air software update, with intentions to extend compatibility to other smartwatch models.

Although it cannot substitute for medical diagnosis, consumer wearables are increasingly serving as a valuable aid in identifying health risks at an early stage.

The post Huawei is experimenting with identifying diabetes risk using smartwatches appeared first on Digital Trends.

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