Galaxy Watch owners just lost a key health feature, and Samsung isn’t saying why

Samsung Galaxy Watch owners are reporting that Samsung has sent them a notification that the Vascular Load feature is being discontinued in the US.

Change takes effect this month

Redditors have posted the message, which has the subject line: “Vascular load Labs feature to be discontinued.” It will be removed in “late July” with the One UI 9 watch update.

The feature was introduced in One UI 8. It measured circulatory system stress and made suggestions for taking control of heart health.

In the message sent to users, Samsung said the existing data will no longer appear in Samsung Health, but can be downloaded by going to More options > Settings > Download personal data.

No reason given, but regulations could be to blame

Samsung did not give a reason for the removal of the Vascular Load feature.

Some smartwatch features in the United States require FDA approval because it moves them into the medical device category. It’s likely that a regulatory issue is what led to the removal. AP has reached out to Samsung for an answer, and we will update this story if we hear back.

Many Redditors have come to the same conclusion.

Probably worried about FDA compliance. Kind of irritating how we can’t have features because the FDA drags their feet on approvals. Look how long it took for blood pressure measurements to be approved… all to say “not for medical use” and must calibrate monthly with a real blood pressure cuff or machine. How about just let us have the feature and give a warning or something that it’s “at your own risk and not for medical use”. Should be sufficient but we can’t have nice things because of some people.

by u/Reddit from discussion in GalaxyWatch

And some were upset about the removal of a feature that they found useful.

A new heart health measurement

As one feature leaves, though another comes in to take its place.

A Blood Pressure Trend feature will be available in US with the upcoming Galaxy Watch, which is expected to be announced at a Galaxy Unpacked event later this month.

Samsung said Blood Pressure Trend will do exactly what it sounds like: track and analyze blood pressure over time. Setup will require the use of a blood pressure cuff.

Some on Reddit suspect that this new feature is meant to compete with future capabilities in the Apple Watch, which is in line with rumors about the Apple Watch Ultra 4.