Samsung’s health ambitions are about to take another big step forward. The company announced in an official news post that Galaxy Watches will soon gain the ability to detect Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD) — a common but often silent precursor to heart failure that accompanies roughly half of all cases.
Watching all the warning signs, with AI
Even AI skeptics can’t argue with fighting heart failure
LVSD occurs when the heart’s main pumping chamber can’t contract effectively, which reduces blood flow and causes fluid buildup in the body. The condition is notoriously difficult to detect without a clinical test, but catching it early is critical: according to Samsung, patients diagnosed and treated before symptoms appear see dramatically reduced risks of hospitalization and death.
To make this work, Samsung partnered with Medical AI, a Korean company specializing in ECG analysis. Medical AI’s algorithm is already deployed across more than 100 hospitals in South Korea, screening 120,000 patients monthly using standard 12-lead ECGs. Samsung has adapted that algorithm for its watches, layering it onto existing PPG heart rate sensors. Importantly, the feature has already cleared regulatory approval from South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, making Samsung the first to bring LVSD detection to a consumer wearable.
But there’s a catch (as there often is). At least for now, Samsung is presenting this as a “general wellness” tool rather than a medical diagnostic. That footnote suggests the company isn’t immediately pursuing FDA approval in the US, which would put it at odds with Apple and Google. Both rivals have leaned heavily into regulatory clearance for features like blood oxygen monitoring, hypertension tracking, and pulse loss alerts. Without that backing, LVSD detection may launch regionally first, with global expansion left uncertain.
Still, it’s a fascinating glimpse at where Samsung wants to take its health platform. The company has been steadily building out Samsung Health with features like virtual doctor visits and prescription tracking. Adding an AI-driven early warning system for one of the deadliest cardiovascular conditions fits neatly into that roadmap and underscores Samsung’s ambition to make its watches more than just fitness companions.
There’s no firm word yet on which models will support LVSD detection or when the feature will roll out, but given the emphasis in Samsung’s announcement, the Galaxy Watch 8 series seems like a sure bet. Whether it’s a wellness nudge or a true medical tool, the ability for a watch to flag potential heart failure before symptoms appear could be a genuine lifesaver.
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- Case size
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40mm/44mm
- Colors
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Graphite/Silver
- Display
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1.3-inch/1.5-inch Super AMOLED
- CPU
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Exynos W1000
- RAM
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2GB
- Storage
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32GB
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 includes new health and wellness features along with AI-enhanced features and more intuitive customization options.
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- Case Material
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Stainless steel
- Case size
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46mm
- Colors
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Black, White
- Display
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1.34″ Super AMOLED
- CPU
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Exynos W1000
- RAM
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2 GB
The Samsung Watch 8 Classic packs lots of new features along with the rotating bezel missing from the Watch 6 series.
