New Asus smartwatch first to measure both blood pressure and ECG

While Apple gets its blood pressure monitoring ducks in a row for the potential release of an Apple Watch Series 11 with BPM capabilities in September, Asus just introduced a smartwatch with those functionalities. 

Asus has unveiled its VivioWatch 6 Aero, the world’s first fitness tracker that can measure blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) at the touch of a finger.

The watch instantly measures blood pressure and ECG (used to detect atrial fibrillation) through wristband sensors. 

Also: The best blood pressure watches you can buy

People with hypertension (high blood pressure) or hypotension (low blood pressure) typically monitor their levels with a manual BPM or an ambulatory BPM. These devices wrap around a user’s arm to measure blood pressure and are fairly clunky and cumbersome. A smartwatch with these capabilities, like the VivioWatch 6 Aero, could make regular BPM measurements more seamless and convenient. 

The fitness tracker will weigh 27g, lighter than the already slim and light Fitbit Charge 6. Its AMOLED display is small and sleek, measuring about one inch. It performs the usual health-tracking, like monitoring SpO₂, heart rate, steps, calories, and sleep quality. The tracker comes with 5 ATM water resistance, one week of battery life, and a built-in GPS sensor, enhancing activity accuracy.

While the Apple Watch Series 4 and later models can detect atrial fibrillation, native blood pressure monitoring capabilities have yet to arrive on the smartwatch. Rumors suggest that the feature will come to the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 this September. 

Blood pressure monitoring seems to be the hot feature du jour on smartwatches and wearables, with several brands — including Samsung, OnePlus, and Huawei — developing or researching convenient BPM functionalities to add to their respective wearable tech. 

Also: This is the first smartwatch with built-in blood pressure monitoring — and I hope Apple’s next

Hypertension impacts half of US adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the condition is often underdiagnosed. A smartwatch with BPM capabilities could help millions manage and treat the condition. 

Asus has not announced when the VivioWatch 6 Aero will be available or revealed its price. 

Stay ahead of security news with Tech Today, delivered to your inbox every morning.