• Samsung confirms that Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification (IHRN) and Sleep Apnea detection have rolled out to selected Samsung Galaxy smartwatches locally.
• Software updates to access the features went live today, 13th February, in South Africa.
• Samsung also plans to roll out the features to older devices soon.

Samsung South Africa has made an important announcement for fans of its Galaxy smartwatches that have been looking for more health features on-device. Here the company confirms that Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification (IHRN) and Sleep Apnea detection have rolled to select Galaxy smartwatches in SA.

The company notes that the features are accessible through the Samsung Health Monitor app, and will provide Galaxy Watch users with enhanced tools to manage their cardiovascular health more effectively.

These software updates began rolling out today, 13th February 2025.

Detailing how the features work, Samsung notes that IHRN is designed to detect irregular heart rhythms suggestive of atrial fibrillation (AFib).It does this by continuously monitoring and recording heart rhythms, which is said to offer users a better understanding of their heart health.

“Alongside the IHRN, the Samsung Health Monitor app also allows Galaxy Watch users to monitor their blood pressure and perform on-demand electrocardiogram (ECG) tests, giving a comprehensive view of their cardiovascular health from the convenience of their wrist,” the company added in a release to Hypertext.

As for Sleep Apnea detection, it offers the ability to identify early signs of obstructive sleep apnea, a common but serious sleep disorder that often goes undiagnosed.

“According to the South African Society for Sleep and Health, 26% of adults in South Africa are affected by sleep apnea, a condition that can lead to severe health risks such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke,” Samsung pointed out.

The new features are available on the following smartwatches locally:

• Galaxy Watch Ultra,
• Galaxy Watch 7,
• Galaxy Watch 6 Classic,
• Galaxy Watch FE

Samsung says that, “the features will be expanded to previous editions in the near future,” although a more precise timeframe has not been shared at the time of writing.