Samsung Electronics has made an announcement that the FDA has granted authorization for the Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification (IHRN) feature of the Samsung Health Monitor app.
This feature, in combination with the app’s Electrocardiogram (ECG) function, can keep track of heart rhythms that may indicate atrial fibrillation (AFib) and monitor it from the user’s wrist.
AFib and Cardiovascular Disease
Samsung has highlighted that Cardiovascular disease is one of the major causes of death worldwide. AFib, a type of arrhythmia, is a common indication of cardiovascular issues that can lead to stroke, heart failure, and other complications. Some AFib cases are asymptomatic, leaving people unaware of their risks.
Samsung BioActive Sensor
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch offers tools to help users understand their heart health. The Samsung BioActive Sensor has an ECG recording feature and a HR Alert feature that can spot irregular heart rates. With the new IHRN feature, Galaxy Watch users can monitor another aspect of their health.
Monitoring Irregular Heart Rhythms
The IHRN feature scans for abnormal heart rhythms using the Galaxy Watch’s BioActive Sensor when it is turned on in the Samsung Health Monitor app. The Galaxy Watch alerts the user of possible AFib activity if it detects irregular heartbeats for a while, and asks them to use their watch to take an ECG for a better measurement.
Availability
Samsung has announced that the Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification feature will be a part of the One UI 5 Watch. This feature will first be available on upcoming Galaxy Watch devices, likely the Galaxy Watch 6 later this year and then expand to previous editions.
Speaking on the announcement, Hon Pak, Vice President and Head of the Digital Health Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics, said:
We are thrilled to announce that the FDA has cleared the Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification feature, which has been developed to assist millions of individuals worldwide who may not be aware of their potential heart risk. This is yet another demonstration of Samsung’s commitment to proactive safety measures, allowing users to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their overall health and cardiovascular well-being.