Today, the first results from the NORSCREEN trial were published in the prestigious journal European Heart Journal Open. The study—the largest of its kind to utilize continuous ECG monitoring (ECG247)—reveals that nearly half of the participants without known heart disease are living with significant cardiac symptoms.

The NORSCREEN trial (The Norwegian Atrial Fibrillation Self-Screening trial) has enrolled over 50,000 participants from across Norway. This makes it the most comprehensive study ever conducted on atrial fibrillation (AF) screening using modern, continuous ECG technology. We are proud that the study utilizes the ECG247 Smart Heart Sensor to monitor the participants’ heart rhythms.

Key findings: A major unmet need

The article published today examines the participants’ health status and quality of life (QoL) prior to the start of the actual ECG screening. The results are striking:

  • Symptoms without a diagnosis: Of the nearly 40,000 participants who reported no prior history of heart disease, a full 43% reported experiencing cardiac-related symptoms such as abnormal fatigue, shortness of breath during exertion (dyspnea), or palpitations (tachycardia).

  • Reduced quality of life: Those who reported symptoms had significantly lower quality of life scores across all measured domains compared to symptom-free participants.

  • Who is most at risk? The study shows that women, smokers, physically inactive individuals, and those with comorbidities such as COPD or anxiety are more likely to experience these symptoms.

Confirming the need for better diagnostic tools

The fact that so many individuals experience symptoms without having a formal diagnosis suggests a major unmet need within the healthcare system to identify and manage cardiovascular disease at an earlier stage.

«These findings suggest there might be a significant potential for identifying heart disease earlier in a large group of elderly individuals at increased risk,» the researchers state in the article.

World-leading technology in action

The NORSCREEN trial represents a new and innovative approach to medical research. By using ECG247, which is easily distributed to participants via standard mail and used in a home-based setting, researchers can screen vast populations more efficiently than with traditional clinical methods.

These are the first data sets to be published from NORSCREEN, laying the essential groundwork for upcoming results. Future publications will reveal how many of these symptomatic and asymptomatic participants are diagnosed with atrial fibrillation or other heart rhythm disorders through testing with the ECG247 sensor.

Read the full scientific article here: European Heart Journal Open: Prevalence of cardiac-related symptoms and association with quality of life in the NORSCREEN trial