Your Fitbit just got a life-saving free upgrade that helps it rival the Apple Watch

Fitbit health trackers have just begun getting a vitally important new health feature. The Google-owned smart device maker has just rolled out a major firmware update which will alert users to signs they’re suffering from atrial fibrillation. The condition, commonly known as A-fib or AF, leads to a person experiencing an irregular or very rapid heart rhythm.

Besides causing symptoms such as dizziness, shortness of breath, tiredness and heart palpitations, people with AF are at an increased risk of having a stroke and in extreme cases it can also lead to heart failure.

Other health trackers such as the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy smartwatches have long been able to detect signs of AF via their electrocardiogram (ECG) tools.

But what separates Fitbit’s offering is recent devices will be able to detect signs of AF passively, without the need for a corresponding app to be opened.

This vitally important health feature will be delivered via the new Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications tool.

The feature will be available first on nine recently released Fitbit devices such as the Sense and Charge 5.

As 9to5Google reported, the AF detection tool has just been rolled out by Fitbit in the US after the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave the feature the all clear.

In terms of other regions, Fitbit customers will need to wait for the green light from relevant authorities in their country before it’s rolled out.

In a post online Fitbit outlined which devices will support the AF detection tool, and what software version users will need to run.