Samsung"s Galaxy Watch3 and Galaxy Watch Active2 can take electrocardiogram (ECG) readings in the U.S. starting today. The company announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently approved the feature for use in monitoring heart rhythm for irregularities and scanning for signs of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib).
The ECG feature for the Watch3 was first unveiled in August when the smartwatch debuted along with the Galaxy Buds Live. Meanwhile, it took quite some time for this feature to arrive on the Watch Active2, which was launched last year, after regulatory-related delays.
Nonetheless, it is now available through the Samsung Health Monitor app, although it really depends on your location. Keep in mind as well that the feature will work only when you pair your smartwatch with a Galaxy smartphone running Android 7.0 (Nougat) or later.
To use the ECG feature, you must first place your arm on a flat surface and ensure your watch has a snug fit. Then, you can open the Health Monitor app and place your fingertip on the top button. When that"s done, the smartwatch will take an ECG reading as either a sinus rhythm or AFib. You can also record any related symptoms such as fatigue or dizziness and submit a report to your healthcare provider through the Health Monitor app.
The Watch3 also has other health features including oxygen saturation tracking, a digital running coach, post-workout reports, advanced sleep tracking, and more.