BMC Public Health. 2026 Jul 3. doi: 10.1186/s12889-026-28360-7. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Smartwatches and other wearable technologies have become increasingly popular for health monitoring, offering potential benefits in the early detection of cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation (AF). Despite their expanding use, limited data exist regarding public perceptions and usage patterns of these devices in Saudi Arabia. Understanding these perceptions is essential to inform strategies for digital health integration and preventive cardiovascular care.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate public perceptions, usage patterns, and factors influencing acceptance of smartwatches for early detection of cardiac arrhythmias among adults in Saudi Arabia.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between May and October 2023 across five major regions of Saudi Arabia. A total of 459 adults aged ≥ 22 years participated through structured face-to-face interviews using a validated questionnaire adapted from prior studies. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic characteristics and usage trends, while Poisson regression analysis identified determinants of positive perceptions toward wearable technologies.
RESULTS: Nearly half of the respondents (46.4%) reported using wearable devices for health monitoring, with smartwatches being the most preferred (42.0%). Among smartwatch users, (35.2%) had received notifications of cardiac arrhythmia through their devices. Most participants (76.5%) expressed willingness to use smartwatches for arrhythmia detection, and (48.1%) strongly agreed that wearable technologies could contribute to the early diagnosis and monitoring of arrhythmia. Younger adults (22-51 years) demonstrated significantly more positive perceptions compared to those > 51 years (p < 0.05). Previous experience with wearables was also a significant predictor of favorable perception (p = 0.015). Educational level showed a positive but non-significant trend (p = 0.061), while gender and cardiovascular history were not associated with perception.
CONCLUSION: The Saudi public shows a high level of awareness and positive perception toward using smartwatches for early cardiac arrhythmia detection. Younger age and prior experience with wearables were the strongest predictors of acceptance, underscoring the importance of digital literacy and user familiarity. Integrating smartwatches into preventive cardiology and public health initiatives-supported by education and clinical validation-may enhance early arrhythmia detection and promote proactive heart health management in Saudi Arabia.
PMID:42399898 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-026-28360-7
