Personally, I do not put my trust in smartwatches’ heart rate monitor. It is one those ‘for reference’ data. However, for those who trust a smartwatch to watch out for your health parameters, you will be glad that Blood Pressure Monitoring is coming to Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2.
Samsung Health Monitor app has just been approved by South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) as a Software as a Medical Device (SaMD).
When uses with the sensor technology on the Galaxy Watch Active2, you will be able to measure and track your blood pressure. This will provide an insight to your health without the hassle of pulling out a blood pressure monitor. Here’s how it works:
“Once your Galaxy Watch Active2 device has been calibrated with a traditional cuff, you can simply tap to “Measure” your blood pressure anytime, anywhere. The device measures blood pressure through pulse wave analysis, which is tracked with the Heart Rate Monitoring sensors. The program then analyzes the relationship between the calibration value and the blood pressure change to determine the blood pressure. To ensure accuracy, users are required to calibrate their device at least every four weeks.”
There is a catch here. Initial setup would require you to take your blood pressure using a regular blood pressure monitor. You will get the initial readings and enter into the app as part of setup process. Since it is recommended that you calibrate the device at least every four weeks, you will not be able to do with an actual blood pressure monitor.
Samsung Health Monitor app with blood pressure monitoring function is set to arrive on Galaxy Watch Active2 smartwatch “within the third quarter.” Future Galaxy Watch devices are expected to have this feature.
Images: Samsung.
