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Taking Health to the Next Level: Samsung Galaxy Watch Now Monitors Irregular Heartbeats

Samsung has silently introduced a new functionality to its Galaxy Watch, enabling it to detect irregular heart rhythms.

Medically known as arrhythmias, irregular heart rhythms may indicate various heart conditions, some of which can be severe or life-threatening. Timely identification of these irregularities is crucial as it allows for prompt medical intervention, significantly improving the potential outcome.

Unlike traditional detection methods like electrocardiograms (ECGs), which typically require a visit to a healthcare facility, smartwatches are revolutionizing the approach by offering continuous heart rhythm monitoring directly on the wearer’s wrist. The monitoring process operates inconspicuously in the background, eliminating the need for users to initiate a reading themselves.

Samsung Health Monitor has a new update

Some observant Reddit users have recently noticed that Samsung’s Galaxy Watch has received an update to its Health Monitor, quietly introducing a heart rhythm check for the wearer. The specific software version for this update is 1.2.1.009.

This new feature is located within the ECG section of the app, positioned under the last reading. Although it displays the time of the most recent Afib (atrial fibrillation) check, it does not show a graph. In case an irregularity is detected, users can find the relevant information in the “Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications” section. However, it’s worth noting that users need to manually activate this functionality within the app for it to become operational.

According to the accompanying text, the watch on your wrist will periodically assess your measurements throughout the day. If an Afib warning appears, it is recommended that you confirm the findings by taking an ECG.

Keeping up with the competition

As Samsung makes significant progress with its new feature, it is essential to acknowledge that other brands have also embraced the significance of heart rhythm monitoring. For example, Apple Watch offers an FDA-cleared ECG app and an irregular rhythm notification feature. Additionally, Fitbit, another well-known brand, includes an ECG app in certain devices capable of detecting atrial fibrillation.

Users in multiple countries, including the US, who own Galaxy Watch 4 and above models, have begun to notice the presence of the new feature. Interestingly, it appears that this feature is not in Beta, meaning users do not need to be enrolled in the Beta program to access it. However, as is typical with such updates, the rollout is being done in phases.

The timing of this release is noteworthy, coinciding with the company’s major event. Scheduled for July 26th, the event is expected to unveil the next generation of Samsung’s flagship smartwatch. Furthermore, there is a slight possibility that the event might also mark the debut of Samsung’s venture into the smart ring space.





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