AI Wearable Patch Detects Heart Arrhythmias with 99.6% Accuracy, Study Finds
Researchers at the University of Chicago developed a wearable AI patch that detects heart arrhythmias with 99.6% accuracy, according to findings published in July 2026. The device uses real-time AI analysis to identify irregular heart rhythms without requiring a hospital visit. Experts say the technology could help catch dangerous conditions earlier in patients who would otherwise go undiagnosed.
Researchers at the University of Chicago developed a wearable AI patch that detects heart arrhythmias with 99.6% accuracy, according to findings published in July 2026.
The device uses real-time AI analysis to identify irregular heart rhythms. Patients wear the patch on their skin, and the AI processes the data continuously, flagging potential arrhythmias without requiring a hospital visit or a cardiologist to review each reading manually.
Heart arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, are a leading cause of stroke and heart failure. Many cases go undetected because symptoms are intermittent and standard electrocardiograms only capture a snapshot of heart activity during a brief clinic visit.
The wearable patch addresses that gap by monitoring patients continuously over days or weeks. Experts say the technology could help catch dangerous conditions earlier, particularly in patients who live in rural areas or lack regular access to cardiac specialists.
The development is part of a broader wave of AI-driven health monitoring tools entering the market in 2026. OpenAI launched ChatGPT Health, and Microsoft introduced Copilot Health, both aimed at integrating AI into everyday health management. The University of Chicago patch represents a more targeted clinical application, focused on a specific and measurable health outcome rather than general wellness guidance.
