After rolling out some additional features that were previously missing on older Galaxy Watch models such as the Galaxy Watch 6 series, Samsung has finally enabled its Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification (IHRN) feature on its new and recent Galaxy Watch models. While the Galaxy Watch 4 series recently received the IHRN feature, Samsung’s latest and greatest Watch Ultra has now finally received the same feature. The IHRN feature, which makes use of the BioActive sensor on the back of the case of recent models, is now working on watches ranging from the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 all the way to the latest Galaxy Watch Ultra.
According to SamMobileSamsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra is the latest smartwatch to receive a key health monitoring feature called Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification (IHRN). According to Samsung, the IHRN feature works with the watch’s on-demand Electrocardiogram (ECG) function and continuously checks for signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib). This is all done thanks to the existing BioActive sensors that are available on the new and recent Samsung Galaxy Watch models.
According to Samsung, the FDA has approved the feature to help detect early signs of AFib. A smartwatch, unlike a standalone blood pressure monitor (some of which offer AFib detection), is always on the wearer’s wrist and can therefore be activated when needed. A feature like this is indeed useful on a smartwatch, since most cases of AFib are asymptomatic.
While Samsung had announced the feature years ago with earlier models of the Galaxy Watch, the feature is only now arriving in India, according to the source, as the certifications for the same took a while. Samsung had a official announcement back in May 2023 about getting approval to roll out the feature on global models. Approvals in India are likely to take even longer. Other features that have only recently appeared on Galaxy Watch models in India include blood pressure monitoring and electrocardiogram (ECG).
To enable the feature, users need to install the Samsung Health Monitor app, a separate app that also enables the previously released Blood Pressure Monitoring and ECG features. The app recently received a 58MB update to version 1.3.4.004. Following the update, the feature needs to be enabled via an in-app notification.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra was announced in July 2024 alongside the new Galaxy Watch 7. Unlike 2022, Samsung appears to have ditched the ‘Pro’ branding from its older model altogether, opting for an ‘Ultra’ branding for its top-of-the-line do-it-all smartwatch. Both smartwatches will be powered by Google’s Wear OS with Samsung’s One UI skinning.
