Testing long-term heart rhythm monitoring to catch irregular heartbeats early

This study is testing whether a portable, single-lead heart monitor worn for 7 days can catch irregular heartbeats (called atrial fibrillation or AF) earlier than a standard heart test alone. The study involves nearly 15,000 people age 60 and older in rural China, with some villages getting the extended monitoring and others receiving standard screening. Researchers want to see if catching irregular heartbeats sooner can prevent serious complications like stroke and heart failure over the following three years.

Irregular heartbeats often have no symptoms, so many people don't know they have them until it's too late and they've had a stroke or other serious problem. This trial is testing whether a longer, continuous heart monitor can find these dangerous rhythms earlier, when doctors can still treat them and prevent harm.