Samsung Galaxy Watch may soon detect blood pressure impact of exercise
Samsung’s future Galaxy Watch models could incorporate significantly improved blood pressure monitoring capabilities, according to a recent patent filing (US 12,029,592 B2).
The US Patent Office filing describes a method for independently and accurately estimating systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in a non-invasive manner. Current methods of indirectly estimating blood pressure using wearable devices often struggle to accurately measure SBP and DBP independently, especially when these values change at different rates – a phenomenon known as decoupling.
It all makes complex reading, but the proposed tech aims to overcome this limitation by using multiple cardiovascular features extracted from bio-signals such as photoplethysmogram (PPG), electrocardiography, or ballistocardiogram data.
A more nuanced approach
By scaling these features and applying different weights, the system can apparently estimate SBP and DBP separately, potentially leading to more accurate blood pressure readings even when decoupling occurs. The patent outlines a sophisticated approach where the processor scales the cardiac output and total peripheral resistance differently for SBP and DBP estimation.
This nuanced approach could significantly enhance the reliability of blood pressure monitoring in smartwatches, making them more useful for daily health tracking and potentially even for medical applications.
Whats more, various activities and behaviors such as exercise and breath-holding, can affect blood pressure in distinct ways. These effects manifest in changes to cardiac output, systolic blood pressure, total peripheral resistance, and diastolic blood pressure. Even alcohol consumption has a distinct singature!
By analyzing these patterns, future Galaxy Watch models might be able to provide more contextual blood pressure data. This could allow users to better understand how their daily activities impact their cardiovascular health.
Current Blood Pressure Monitoring in Galaxy Watch
Latest Samsung Galaxy Watch models do offer blood pressure monitoring. But it is far from ideal.
The system requires initial calibration with a traditional cuff-based blood pressure monitor. Once calibrated, the watch uses its optical heart rate sensor to analyze pulse waves and estimate blood pressure changes. While this method provides a convenient way to track blood pressure trends, it has limitations in accuracy. Plus it requires periodic recalibration.
The new patent suggests a significant advancement over this current technology, potentially eliminating the need for calibration and improving overall accuracy. Also, the ability to recognize how specific activities affect blood pressure could provide users with more insightful and actionable health data.
Essential reading: Best fitness trackers and health gadgets
Of course, this is just a patent. Which may or may not make it into a real-world product. But it does indicate Samsung’s continued interest in advancing the health monitoring features of its smartwatch line.
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