Garmin deploys an update for its watches, for health monitoring on par with Apple and Samsung
After the Venu 2 Plus, the ECG function is coming to four other Garmin watches. The American manufacturer is upgrading its health functions… but still not in France.
If Garmin dominates sales of sports watches thanks to numerous training data, the American manufacturer was still a little behind when it comes to health data. Little by little, however, the firm is catching up with manufacturers of more traditional connected watches such as Samsung, Huawei, Apple, Google and Fitbit.
This Tuesday, Garmin announced the deployment of an electrocardiogram (ECG) functionality on several of its connected watches:
These are four smartwatches — available in several variations of size or materials — all of which were launched later this year. Furthermore, the electrocardiogram was particularly expected on the Garmin Venu 3, since it was integrated into the previous generation of Venu watches, with the Garmin Venu 2 Plus. However, until now it was the only fitness-oriented connected watch to benefit from an electrocardiogram.
Now, by integrating this measurement into its high-end sports models, the Epix Pro, Fenix 7 and Tactix 7, Garmin will allow their users to simply carry out a 30-second electrocardiogram in order to detect potential cardiac fibrillations. The ECG results will then be viewable directly on the watch or within the Garmin Connect application. The data can also be transmitted to a healthcare professional if the user wishes.
An ECG function only offered in the United States
For the moment, this deployment is still limited, since only American models of Garmin watches are affected. The deployment has not yet been announced for France. Remember that the electrocardiogram is a medical device and that, for Garmin to be able to ensure its deployment, it must be validated by the health authorities of the different countries. The electrocardiogram functionality of the Garmin Venu 2 Plus, deployed in January across the Atlantic, is still not offered for French users of the watch. Asked if the ECG function was planned for France, Garmin had not yet responded to us at the time of publication of this article.
