How ECG Works On A Smartwatch? Is it Reliable?

How ECG Works On A Smartwatch

These days we have tons of smartwatches that come with a Heart Rate sensor in which green light is injected into your skin, and the greenlight detects the changes in the blood by measuring the amount of light reflected.

This way, you get your Heart Rate data directly from the smartwatch but the ECG is different and more accurate than the Heart Rate sensor.

So let’s find out in a simple way, how ECG or EKG works.

What is ECG?

What is ECG in Smartwatch

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a simple test that can be used to check your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity.

You know how heart rate sensors measure blood flow, the ECG is designed to measure how well your heart is working.

In simple words, you will know the condition of your heart and the sensor will let you know, whether you will get a heart attack or not.

Related: 20 Sensors Present In Smartwatch: How They Work, Use Case, And More?

Earlier we use to visit the hospital to test the ECG but when Apple started giving the ECG sensor in Apple Watch, a normal person at home with one touch (usually the case or crown) can check heart condition.

So if you’re having problems like chest pain, or coronary artery disease, in this case, ECG can give you the idea of whether you have any problem in your heart or not.

How ECG Works On A Smartwatch

ECG Sensor on Smartwatch
ECG Sensor on Apple Watch

Most smartwatches with ECG are designed to detect Atrial fibrillation as it is the most common irregular heartbeat rhythm condition and it can be easily detected on smartwatches.

Again the same thing, heart rate sensors measure blood flow, the ECG is designed to measure how well your heart is working.

In the case of the Apple Watch:

The ECG app records an electrocardiogram which represents the electrical pulses that make your heart beat. The ECG app checks these pulses to get your heart rate and see if the upper and lower chambers of your heart are in rhythm. If they’re out of rhythm, that could be AFib – Apple

Now, ECG works the same on almost all smartwatches. For example, on Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, you need to rest your finger on the top button while on the Apple Watch 6 you have to put your finger on the crown for 30 seconds.

Is ECG in Smartwatch Reliable

Is ECG in Smartwatch Reliable

Now that you are aware of the electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) in a smartwatch, the question remains, is it reliable?

This depends on which smartwatch you’re using it. Talking about Apple, they have FDA clearance and they have claimed 99.99% accuracy.

Before you buy a smartwatch with ECG, make sure to check the quality of the sensor they’re using, and to know that, you can read the smartwatch reviews.

How Useful is the Smartwatch ECG?

How Useful is the Smartwatch ECG

Let’s say, you’re having cheap pain for a couple of days, and you assume that, it’s a normal thing, I was doing exercise and I went a bit far with a chest workout.

You don’t know whether the chest pain is because of the workout or something else.

Now, whether it’s you or any other person, they won’t visit the hospital because they’re having chest pain, they will assume it will go away in a day or two.

This is where ECG on a smartwatch comes in,

If you’re wearing Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch then a single touch on the smartwatch will clear all of your doubts and will get resolve whether you have a heart problem or it’s just because of the workout.

Related: How Does Sleep Tracking Work: Is it Reliable?

So yes, if your or your parent’s age is above 40 then it’s better to get an ECG smartwatch or ECG machine at home.

Now, if you don’t want to spend more than 30k then visit the hospital as soon as you can whenever you feel that the chest pain is getting worst day by day.

Popular Smartwatches with ECG

We don’t have many smartwatches with ECG because it’s kind of hard for a new brand to launch a smartwatch worth 40k and assume that people will buy it.

Still, we have some good smartwatches with ECG support.

1. Apple Watch Series 7

Apple Watch Series 7 with ECG

Apple Watch Series 7 is the latest offering from Apple and it features the ECG. By far, it provides accurate data compared to any other smartwatch available in the market.

By the way, you can find ECG sensors in Apple Watch 5 and Watch 6 too. The Apple Watches doesn’t work with Android smartphones, you have to have an iPhone to use it.

Check out the Apple Watch 7

2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 with ECG

The Galaxy 5 Watch 5 is the latest offering from Samsung and it also features the ECG sensor, now keep in mind, that the Galaxy Watch 5 won’t work with iPhone, you have to have an Android smartphone to use the Galaxy Watch 5.

You can also find the ECG sensor in Galaxy Watch 4 too.

Check out the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

3. Fitbit Sense

Fitbit Sense with ECG

Fitbit is also another brand that more focuses on health, Fitbit Sense was the first watch from Fitbit to feature an ECG sensor.

Check out the Fitbit Sense

4. Fitbit Charge 5

Fitbit Charge 5 with ECG

Now, if you don’t like big smartwatches and wanted a fitness tracker then the Fitbit Charge 5 might attract you, this too comes with ECG, and its works the same way as other smartwatches.

Check out the Fitbit Charge 5

Verdict

ECG can save human life, so if your health is not good then do invest your money in an ECG smartwatch or just buy an ECG machine for your good health.

If you ask me, I would recommend you to buy an ECG smartwatch because it small tool to carry and it’s easy to use.

Still, if you have doubts then feel free to ask me in the comments, see you there…

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