Garmin, known for its health-focused smartwatches, is finally filling the gap by releasing a dedicated app for electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements. Today, the company launched a straightforward ECG app that, like similar tools on other devices, can analyze your heart rhythm and check for atrial fibrillation (AFib). If issues are detected, you can sync the results with Garmin Connect and create a report to share with healthcare professionals.
However, you’ll need to be mindful when selecting devices to use this software immediately. Currently, Garmin is offering the app exclusively to Venu 2 Plus users in the United States. The company plans to make the app available on more devices and in additional countries over time, but this will require further government approvals.
This is Garmin’s first app approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Like other similar apps, it cannot provide a full heart health assessment or detect heart attacks. Instead, the smartwatch acts as an ECG device, providing data that only a physician can interpret accurately for a comprehensive understanding of your heart health. Garmin’s Vice President Dan Bartel emphasized that this app is particularly useful for detecting early-stage AFib, which can be “hard to catch” during clinical visits.