Samsung Electronics has unveiled advanced healthcare technology that goes beyond blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements to provide a comprehensive heart health score using the Galaxy Watch and Samsung Health app.
Choi Jong-min, Senior Vice President of Samsung Electronics' MX Business Digital Health Team, expressed a strong commitment to realizing non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology during a briefing at the company's press room on September 9. He aims to develop technology that allows real-time blood sugar monitoring on the wrist without the need for blood draws, enhancing Samsung Health into a truly comprehensive healthcare platform.
On this day, Samsung presented its vision for smart healthcare, which monitors subtle physical changes 24/7 to detect and prevent serious illnesses early. In anticipation of 'World Heart Day' on September 29, the company emphasized a smart health management ecosystem that enables continuous monitoring to recognize warning signs and take immediate action.
The 'Heart Health Score' feature, available on the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Watch 9, analyzes sleep, activity levels, vascular stress, and body composition to provide intuitive scores and actionable guidance. For instance, if vascular stress is high, it recommends a low-sodium diet and meals rich in whole grains.
The 'Vital Signs' feature tracks five key indicators—heart rate, heart rate variability, and respiratory rate—during sleep, sending immediate alerts when significant deviations from normal values are detected.
Choi stated, "The key is not just measuring indicators but proactively detecting subtle anomalies through artificial intelligence (AI) and sensor technology. We have refined the algorithms to help users intuitively understand their physical condition and improve their lifestyle habits."
The recently upgraded Samsung Health version 7.0 supports 'Connected Care,' allowing families to share health information. With user consent, key biometric data can be shared among family members, enabling children to monitor their parents' irregular health metrics and respond proactively to any concerning changes.
Choi noted, "Connected Care, which allows children to check and respond to their parents' health status in real-time from a distance, is one of the true values that smart healthcare should pursue. The accumulated data can also serve as valuable reference material during hospital visits, significantly lowering communication barriers with healthcare professionals."
Since introducing optical heart rate (PPG) sensors in 2014, Samsung has continuously advanced its monitoring technology. In 2020, it obtained medical device approval for its blood pressure and ECG measurement apps, and in 2021, the Galaxy Watch 4 integrated PPG, ECG, and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) sensors into a single 'BioActive Sensor,' setting a new standard for wrist-based healthcare.
In 2023, the company received approvals from the U.S. FDA and South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for its irregular heart rhythm notification (IHRN) feature, contributing to the early prevention of serious conditions like atrial fibrillation. There have been successful cases of early detection and treatment of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction through irregular rhythm notifications and ECG assessments in both domestic and international settings.
Regarding global regulatory approvals and future specifications, Choi remarked, "Gaining approvals from various countries' food and drug administrations and the FDA is a challenging task that requires rigorous clinical data and safety validation. However, since it directly relates to users' lives, we will prioritize trustworthiness in our verification process. We will continue to introduce preventive-focused smart healthcare services in the future."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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