The FDA has cleared AliveCor’s algorithm to detect atrial fibrillation, the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia, the San Francisco devicemaker said Thursday.

The algorithm instantly detects if patients are suffering AFib via a real-time electrocardiogram recording taken on the company’s heart monitor smart phone app. Patients can confirm their results with a cardiologist or physician through an ECG analysis system, allowing physicians to intervene before life-threatening events, like strokes, occur, according to the company.

The AliveCor Heart Monitor is compatible with all iPhone models and most Android mobile devices, and users can access their data confidentially anytime, anywhere, the company says.

AliveCor plans to make the algorithm available in its app this September.
Twenty-five percent of adults over 40 develop atrial fibrillation, AliveCor says, increasing their chances of having a stroke fivefold. — Kellen Owings

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