If You Own a Samsung Galaxy Watch in the US, You Can Now Track Your Blood Pressure

If you’re a proud owner of a Samsung Galaxy Watch residing in the United States, you’re in for a treat as your smartwatch now boasts a new feature: blood pressure tracking.

Samsung recently initiated the rollout of blood pressure tracking on existing Galaxy Watches in the US, including models as far back as the Galaxy Watch 4, which hit the market in 2021.

While blood pressure tracking was already available on select Galaxy Watches globally, its introduction to US devices required approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a milestone that has now been achieved after nine months since the Galaxy Watch 8 series launch.

This new feature enables users to monitor their blood pressure levels and receive alerts if any abnormalities are detected. Considering that high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease, this addition serves as a valuable tool to encourage users to prioritize their cardiovascular health.

However, there’s a crucial requirement for the feature to function accurately – users must calibrate their watch every 28 days using an upper arm cuff. While this may not pose an issue for health-conscious individuals, it could add complexity for the average user who may not possess such equipment.

It’s important to note that Galaxy Fit devices are excluded from this update. The phased rollout commenced on March 31, so users should regularly check for available updates and ensure they are running Wear OS 4 and Android 12 or later.

Staying Ahead in the Wearable Tech Race

Samsung’s decision to incorporate blood pressure tracking into its watches reflects a competitive response to the Apple Watch Series 11’s focus on hypertension alerts.

While smartwatches without cuffs may have limitations in providing accurate health data, efforts are being made to explore innovative solutions, such as the Huawei Watch D2’s inflatable cuff integrated into the watch band.

The recent unveiling of a new Fitbit device by Google and the emergence of display-less options like the Whoop Strap 5.0 indicate a growing trend in wearable technology, prompting companies to enhance their offerings to meet consumer demands.