Withings beats Apple Watch with first ECG smartwatch in Australia

Withings – a company that’s earned a reputation for creating stylish smartwatches with a clear health focus – has announced the Australian availability of its ScanWatch. It’s the first smartwatch to market here that includes clinically-approved ECG functionality. 

While other smartwatches can monitor and record your heart rate, only the Withings ScanWatch has been approved by the Australian Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration as a medical device. It’s beaten Apple, Fitbit, Garmin and all the other players that offer similar wearables with ECG hardware available on board but unfortunately aren’t approved for use Down Under.

This will be of particular interest to the estimated 475,000 Australians that suffer from atrial fibrillation (Afib), which is an irregular heartbeat that increases risk of stroke or heart attack. A great many people will be unaware they might have this condition, and early detection via a product like this could be a critical element that leads to treatment, and a long and healthy life.