Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and other earlier models in India now support the Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification (IHRM) feature, the company announced on Wednesday. The feature leverages the BioActive sensors in Samsung’s smartwatches to alert users to abnormal heart rhythms that can indicate atrial fibrillation (AFib), a life-threatening cardiovascular disease. While this feature was already available on Samsung smartwatches worldwide, the South Korean tech company is now bringing it to the Indian market as well.
IHRM notification for Samsung Galaxy Watch
In a press release, Samsung announced the release of IHRM announcements in India. This feature is supported by several generations of the company’s smartwatches, including the Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Watch 6, Galaxy Watch 5, and Galaxy Watch 4. Samsung says this feature can be found in the Samsung Health Monitor app.
The IHRM feature is intended to work in conjunction with blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring features to detect irregular heart rhythms in the background. If some readings are detected as irregular, the Galaxy Watch will prompt the user to take an ECG to get a better reading as a precaution against possible atrial fibrillation activity. To access this feature, Galaxy Watch users will need to update the Samsung Heath Monitor app via the Galaxy Store and change it in the Settings menu.
In recent years, smartwatches from Samsung and Apple have reportedly saved lives by alerting people to heart rhythm problems and prompting them to seek medical attention.
In the March 2023 incident, a Galaxy Watch 5 Pro user was reportedly checking the ECG function “out of curiosity,” which showed worrisome symptoms such as sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation. This led to the wearer visiting a local clinic where, after proper testing, he was informed that he was suffering from a condition known as arrhythmia.
In several other cases, it was reported that the underlying problem was life-threatening and could have been fatal if the user had not sought medical attention.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.