Samsung reveals that its Galaxy Watch devices will soon monitor blood pressure via the Samsung Health Monitor app. The first smartwatch to feature cuffless blood pressure tracking will be the Galaxy Watch Active2. Thereafter, Samsung will gradually bring blood pressure tracking support to more upcoming Galaxy Watch devices.
The Samsung Health Monitor app recently received clearance from South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) as a “Software as a Medical Device” (SaMD). Now Samsung will soon roll out the Health Monitor app for Galaxy Watch Active2 within the third quarter of 2020. And then, it will progressively expand the support to other smartwatches.
How does the Samsung Health Monitor app measure blood pressure?
In order to measure blood pressure, you need to calibrate the Samsung Galaxy Watch with a traditional cuff first. The calibration process is quite simple as you just need to enter the value of the result into the mobile app. Once the calibration is complete, you can click on “measure” to monitor your blood pressure.
Technically, the Galaxy smartwatch will measure the blood pressure via pulse wave analysis. The tracking process utilizes Heart Rate Monitoring sensors. Then, the Samsung Health Monitoring app analyses the relationship between the calibration value and the blood pressure change to determine the blood pressure.
Samsung recommends users to calibrate their Galaxy watch devices at least every four weeks. This is essential in order to maintain tracking accuracy.
Samsung is bringing blood pressure monitoring support to the Galaxy Watch Active2 at first because it features more sensitive and accurate Heart Rate Monitoring Sensors. The company will soon release more smartwatches with more sensitive sensors.
Statement from Corporate SVP & Head of Health Team (Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics)
The Samsung Health Monitor app has the potential to help millions of people around the world who are affected by high blood pressure. This is one of many examples of how Samsung is integrating its best-in-class hardware with the latest software innovations to innovate mobile experiences.
Taejong Jay Yang, Corporate SVP and Head of Health Team, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics
