Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and Watch Active 2 now measure ECG and blood pressure
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2 are getting a range of new features. You can do an ECG check of your heart and measure your blood pressure with the smartwatch.
Measure ECG and blood pressure
Samsung announces that it is coming with improvements for its latest smartwatches. Both the Galaxy Watch Active 2 and the latest Galaxy Watch 3 can soon take advantage of new features that take your health. You can now perform an electrocardiogram test (ECG) with your watch and the smartwatch also measures your blood pressure, Samsung says in a press release.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
To take advantage of these features, Galaxy Watch users can get started with the new ‘Samsung Health Monitor app. High blood pressure is often linked to brain, kidney and heart disease and if left untreated can lead to stroke and heart disease. Measuring blood pressure is done from Health Monitor and your watch uses the heart rate sensor that can determine your blood pressure thanks to pulse wave analysis. This means that changes in your heart rate after analysis can also tell more about your blood pressure.
Discovering heart disease
In addition to measuring your blood pressure, you can also perform an ECG measurement to detect any heart conditions in time. It is estimated that approximately 33.5 million people worldwide are affected by atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common form of cardiac arrhythmias. AFib is often the cause of heart complications, including blood clots, heart failure and strokes. The Galaxy Watch watches perform an EKG when users rest their arm on a flat surface for 30 seconds. The app then measures your heart rate and rhythm, which is classified as a sinus rhythm.
Keep in mind that these measurements only serve as an indication. They can never fully replace professional measuring equipment.
If you want to get started with blood pressure measurements and ECG, you only have to update his or her smartwatch to the latest version of the Galaxy Wearable app. This way you automatically install the Health Monitor app on your watch and it opens a link with which you can also download this app on your phone. The function will be available in the Netherlands and Belgium from 22 February. Read our review of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 here.
