Samsung Rolls Out Long-Awaited Blood Pressure Tracking in the US

After a significant delay compared to other regions, Samsung has begun deploying blood pressure monitoring capabilities to its smartwatch users across the United States. This feature, which tracks both systolic and diastolic blood pressure alongside heart rate, is now accessible on eligible devices.

The update specifically supports users of the Galaxy Watch 4 model or later, provided their device is running at least WatchOS version 4.0. This expansion brings a key health monitoring function to a wider audience after several years of availability elsewhere.

Calibration Requirements and Limitations Remain

A crucial detail remains unchanged: the Galaxy Watch cannot measure blood pressure independently. Users must first calibrate the device using a traditional, external blood pressure cuff to establish baseline readings.

Furthermore, this calibration process requires periodic recalibration every 28 days to maintain accuracy. This requirement mirrors the setup implemented when Samsung first launched the feature in South Korea over six years ago.

Navigating Regulatory Hurdles

Samsung appears to be introducing this function in the US by classifying it as a “wellness feature” rather than a regulated medical device. This approach follows years of effort to secure clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This strategy is similar to the workaround utilized by fitness tracker manufacturer Whoop last year to deploy comparable health monitoring tools to US consumers.

Accessing the Feature and Future Updates

To utilize the new blood pressure monitoring, Galaxy Watch owners must download the dedicated Samsung Health Monitor application. This app requires a compatible Galaxy phone running Android 12 or a newer operating system.

Samsung also announced plans to enhance the application later this year. A forthcoming update will introduce a new passive monitoring feature, allowing users to observe blood pressure trends over extended periods.

The company described the US rollout as a “phased” deployment in its official press release. Therefore, eligible Galaxy Watch owners may experience a staggered arrival of the feature on their devices.