Owners of compatible Samsung Galaxy Watch smartwatches in 13 markets will now be able to receive irregular heart rhythm notifications from the device, in addition to ECG and blood pressure monitoring. However, this does not yet include Canada.
The Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification (IHRN) feature on the Samsung Health Monitor app will soon be available in 13 markets starting this summer. Combined with the app’s blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring, the IHRN feature detects heart rhythms suggestive of atrial fibrillation (AFib), helping Galaxy Watch users understand their heart health more comprehensively.
The IHRN feature was recently approved by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), following recent clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It will also be introduced in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Georgia, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Panama, UAE, as well as Korea and the U.S., taking the total to 13 markets. For Canada, the feature would have to pass Health Canada testing and approvals.
Alongside the on-demand ECG tracking, the IHRN feature checks for irregular heart rhythms in the background and warns the wearer of potential AFib activity. Together with the existing blood pressure and heart rate monitoring, you can gain even deeper insights you’re your cardiovascular health.
Since the launch in 2020, the Samsung Health Monitor app has expanded to 74 markets across the globe. Over 15 million Galaxy Watch users have kept track of their blood pressure and ECG right from their wrist, gaining a better picture of their heart health by continuously monitoring and recording their blood pressure and heart rhythms.
“Cardiovascular disease remains one of the main causes of death around the world, and we’re committed to empowering our users to stay informed about their heart health by providing monitoring tools, including blood pressure measurement and irregular heart rhythm notification,” says Hon Pak, Vice President and Head of Digital Health Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics. “We’re constantly exploring new ways to help Galaxy Watch users obtain deeper insights on their health and wellness effortlessly, day and night.”
The Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification feature will first be available on the upcoming Galaxy Watch devices later this year, as part of the new One UI 5 Watch and later expanded to previous editions.