You can now monitor your BP, heart rate with the Galaxy Watch5 Series

The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Series is brimming with various health and fitness tracking features, including blood pressure monitoring, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, SpO2 measurement, and stress tracking. However, blood pressure monitoring and ECG weren’t initially available in various countries when the smartwatch was launched.

Well, that all changes today following a firmware update. Now, the watch that knows your health just got better as it can now help you track your blood pressure and heart rate with its latest update.

Health monitoring made easy

To enable the blood pressure monitoring feature, install the Samsung Health Monitor app on your Galaxy smartphone, connect it to your compatible Galaxy Watch, and set up your profile. To calibrate, you need to use a traditional cuff-based blood pressure monitor first.

The Galaxy Watch5 measures blood pressure through pulse wave analysis, which is tracked with the heart rate monitoring sensors. The program then records the relationship between the calibration value and the blood pressure change to determine the blood pressure. Once the calibration and setup process are completed, users can access this information and export measurements to PDF.

Meanwhile, the electrocardiogram (ECG) function works by recording the heart’s electrical activity via a sensor on the compatible Galaxy Watch.

All you need to do is open your Samsung Health Monitor app while seated comfortably, and ensure the watch is fitted firmly to your wrist. Next, rest your forearm on a flat surface and lightly place a fingertip from the opposite hand on the top button on the smartwatch for 30 seconds. 

The app will then measure your heart rate and rhythm, which will be displayed as either a Sinus Rhythm (a normal, regular heartbeat) or AFib (when the heart beats irregularly). You can also export this data to PDF.

Aside from BP and ECG monitoring, the Galaxy Watch5 Series also has improved sleep tracking technology. Plan your bedtime, detect snoring, understand and track your sleep stages (awake, light, deep REM) via 8 animal sleep symbols representing your sleep type, and you’ll also receive nightly sleep reports.

For fitness tracking, the Galaxy Watch5 Series counts your steps, calories, and even your routines. It even supports over 90 exercises that you can track from your watch. And if you’re a fitness enthusiast who needs a watch to keep up with you on your outdoor activities, consider the Watch5 Pro as it comes with GPS route tracking guides turn-by-turn directions for cyclists and hikers.