Besides watching the time, supporting the use of smartphones, used as an index recording device when exercising, a very important feature of smartwatches like Galaxy Watch4 is to monitor the health of the user. Two very promising features, but unfortunately, Vietnamese users have not been able to use for a long time are Electrocardiogram (ECG) and Blood Pressure measurement because they have not been approved by the government of our country.
But the good news has come to users of this smartwatch when recently, Samsung announced that it has completed the procedure to bring these 2 health monitoring features to users. Taking this opportunity, I also use it to see how my heart condition is!
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
The electrocardiogram (ECG) feature allows to analyze the electrical activity of the heart, thereby predicting the effects of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) or Arrhythmia early.
To use this feature, we will connect the Watch4 with a smartphone and then install an application called Samsung Health Monitor. Usage is quite simple, we will sit still and then touch a finger on the button next to the smartwatch, wait exactly 30 seconds while the device measures.
After 30 seconds, the smartwatch will display a notification about whether it has detected any unusual signs.
Watch4 interface when measuring Electrocardiogram (ECG)
And the ECG chart will be sent to the smartphone. I also have to admit that I don’t have an in-depth knowledge of EKG readings, but the fact that the machine shows no symptoms of abnormality is reassuring. Besides, we will be able to share the chart for experts to analyze further if desired.
Blood pressure
Regular blood pressure measurements are important for brain, kidney and heart health. Fluctuations in blood pressure can lead to stroke or coronary heart disease, with long-term health effects. If detected early, we will be able to find prevention and treatment methods before serious changes.
Measuring blood pressure with the Galaxy Watch4 will be a bit more complicated than measuring the ECG, because we will need to go through the calibration step (Calibrate) and need a “real” Blood Pressure monitor.
We will simultaneously wear Galaxy Watch4 and measure blood pressure using an electronic device, then enter the systolic (upper – SYS) and diastolic (bottom – DIA) blood pressure measurements into the application.
We will repeat this process 3 times until the application says that the adjustment is complete. The Galaxy Watch4 is now calibrated and can be used to measure blood pressure independently.
For me personally, blood pressure readings usually range from 72/123 to 129/73, according to the blood pressure chart by age, it is in the normal range.
Normal blood pressure levels by age
Watch4 . Blood Pressure measurement interface
Measurements will also be transferred to the smartphone application for storage, so that we can monitor daily, monthly to yearly for an overview of heart health.
The question is whether the Blood Pressure measurement on the Galaxy Watch4 is accurate or not? I tried measuring once with both the smartwatch and the meter, the Galaxy Watch4 gave 120/68 and the meter gave 125/67, there was still a difference but only below 5%.
The application also recommends that users re-calibrate the smartwatch with the meter once a month to increase accuracy. If you do not own a meter like me, you can borrow a friend and family who have a device or go to a medical facility to perform a service measurement, then use the Galaxy Watch4 to measure for a month until the next weighing. next adjustment.