Samsung’s new smart watch has blood pressure function

Samsung has followed the example of Apple and launched a smartwatch with a focus on improving the wearer’s health. But unlike its rival, which has marketed a watch that provides an electrocardiogram function, Samsung has opted to provide a feature that measures a wearer’s blood pressure. Starting on 15 March, users will be able to download My BP Lab, a research app jointly developed with the University of California, San Francisco to their Galaxy Watch Active. Samsung said the app will help wearers monitor blood pressure and keep better track of their physical health. The app is still in beta testing and will initially only be available in five countries – the US, Singapore, Australia, Canada, and Germany. While the Apple Watch can provide a blood pressure reading, it needs a third-party connected device and a dedicated app.
Omron’s Heart guide watch launched at last month’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and is described as the first FDA-approved smartwatch capable of monitoring blood pressure in the US. Samsung’s watch also has an Everyday Peace of Mind app to help manage stress, through breathing exercises, and an Easy Fitness Tracking app that automatically detects whether the wearer has gone for a run, bike ride, row, started to use an elliptical trainer or begun a dynamic workout.