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Garmin is rumored to be working on its own version of an electrocardiogram sensor, a device that could help improve heart health metrics by identifying irregular heartbeat rhythms.
ECG sensors do not measure your blood flow; instead, they detect signs of atrial fibrillation, or AFib, which is a cause of strokes and heart problems, and can alert you if it picks up indicators of the condition.
None of the smartwatches with ECG sensors are “medical grade” or certified for use in a clinical setting – not even the best apple watch or the best fitbit – but ECG readings can be a useful indication that you should get checked out by a medical professional. Considering how advanced Garmin is in the smartwatch space, it’s interesting that it’s taken the company so long to get here and that it hasn’t prioritized the feature in the same way its competitors have.
According to The5KRunner (opens in new tab)which has a good track record of predicting future Garmin features, a reliable source has indicated that the feature is coming with a new series of Forerunner watches, the 265 and 965. Spotted by our colleagues at adventure (opens in new tab), the leak reveals that you can place two fingers on the metal bezel in front of the watch, and it will create a circuit with the metal sensor that sits on your wrist. The Apple Watch uses the digital crown to achieve the same result.
ECG is available on the Fitbit Sense 2 and Fitbit Charge 5, and has been available on the Apple Watch since the Series 4. So why has it taken Garmin so long to bring the feature to its watches?
Garmin’s website informs us that newer watches can identify “abnormal” heart rate spikes after a workout. It says: “If you are inactive for 10 minutes or more and your heart rate remains above your set threshold, you will receive a notification on the watch. This setting can be found under the Heart rate settings which can usually be accessed from the Heart rate widget on the watch”. This is different from a real EKG app, however, which can look for irregularities in your heart rate on command, not just right after a workout.
A bit of boxed text on the same page also emphasizes that “Garmin watches are not medical devices. The data from the heart rate monitor is not intended for medical purposes nor to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition.” That said, ECG apps are also not authorized for use in clinical settings and should only provide an indication that something may be wrong.
The simplest answer is that Garmin has never needed ECGs to sell itself, and is only concerned with heart rate sensor accuracy during workouts and sleep tracking. Garmin watch wearers, often looking for specialized devices, are probably less concerned about having an EKG sensor than fans of “lifestyle” watches wearing the Sense 2 or Apple Watch, both do-it-all health devices.
However, expect Garmin to announce its ECG debut with a bit of ceremony when (if?) the first ECG-compatible watch arrives later this year.