Best Smartwatches of 2024 for Heart Health Tracking

Monitoring your heart health has never been easier thanks to modern wearable technology. If you are looking for a device to keep a close eye on your vital signs in 2024, you have some incredibly powerful options. We compare the top smartwatches from Apple, Garmin, and Samsung to help you find the best tool for tracking your cardiovascular health.

Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 remain the top choices for iPhone users. Apple has a long history of securing FDA clearance for its heart features, and the 2024 lineup continues this standard. Both models feature an electrical heart sensor capable of taking a single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). This ECG app can detect signs of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), which is an irregular and often rapid heart rate that can lead to severe complications.

Apple also includes an AFib History feature. If a doctor has already diagnosed you with AFib, this tool tracks how frequently your heart shows signs of the condition over time. Furthermore, the optical heart sensor continuously monitors your pulse in the background. It will send you a notification if your heart rate spikes above 120 beats per minute or drops below 40 beats per minute while you are at rest. This background monitoring is a massive benefit for catching silent cardiovascular issues.

Garmin Venu 3 and Fenix 7 Pro

Historically known for GPS running watches, Garmin has heavily upgraded its health sensors for 2024. The Garmin Venu 3, Epix Pro, and Fenix 7 Pro all feature the company’s new Elevate V5 optical heart rate sensor. This sensor has more LEDs and spatial receptors than previous versions, resulting in highly accurate continuous heart rate tracking during both workouts and sleep.

A major update for Garmin users is the FDA-cleared ECG app. Available on the Venu 3 and the newer Pro models, this app allows users to record their heart rhythm and check for signs of AFib directly from the wrist. Garmin also excels at tracking Heart Rate Variability (HRV). HRV measures the time difference in milliseconds between each heartbeat. The Venu 3 tracks your HRV overnight and provides an overall HRV Status in the morning. This metric gives you a clear picture of how your nervous system is recovering from stress, sickness, and exercise.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and 6 Classic

For Android users, Samsung offers the Galaxy Watch 6 and the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. These smartwatches are powered by the Samsung BioActive Sensor. This single component combines an optical heart rate sensor, an electrical heart signal sensor, and a bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor.

In 2024, Samsung rolled out the Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification (IHRN) feature to a much wider number of countries after receiving FDA clearance. This feature works silently in the background, periodically checking your pulse for irregular rhythms suggestive of AFib. If the watch detects an anomaly, it prompts you to take a manual ECG reading using the Samsung Health Monitor app.

Samsung also offers blood pressure monitoring on the Galaxy Watch 6, though there is a catch. The blood pressure feature requires regular calibration with a traditional cuff, and it is still pending FDA approval in the United States. However, users in Europe and several other regions can actively use this feature right now to track their blood pressure trends daily.

Understanding Key Heart Metrics

Choosing the right watch requires understanding the data these devices collect. Here is a breakdown of the vital signs you will encounter:

  • ECG (Electrocardiogram): Records the timing and strength of the electrical signals that make your heartbeat. Smartwatches use a single-lead ECG, which requires you to rest your finger on the watch crown or side button for 30 seconds.
  • Resting Heart Rate (RHR): The number of times your heart beats per minute while you are completely still. A lower RHR generally indicates better cardiovascular fitness. All three brands track your RHR overnight for the most accurate baseline.
  • SpO2 (Blood Oxygen): Measures the oxygen saturation in your blood. While not a direct heart metric, low SpO2 levels during sleep can indicate breathing disturbances that put extra strain on your cardiovascular system.

Choosing the Right Ecosystem

Your decision will largely depend on the smartphone you already own and how you prefer to view your data. Apple Health provides a clean, medical-focused dashboard that easily exports PDF reports for your doctor. The downside is that Apple Watches only pair with iPhones, and the battery life maxes out around 18 to 36 hours.

Garmin Connect provides deep analytics on your resting heart rate and stress levels without charging any monthly subscription fees. Garmin watches also boast battery lives that last for weeks rather than days. This makes continuous, 24⁄7 heart tracking much more convenient.

Samsung Health strikes a balance between lifestyle tracking and clinical metrics. It pairs perfectly with Samsung Galaxy smartphones and provides excellent sleep staging alongside its reliable heart rhythm tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a smartwatch detect a heart attack? No. Smartwatches cannot detect heart attacks. They only look for irregular rhythms like AFib. If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms of a heart attack, you must seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Are smartwatch ECGs as accurate as a hospital ECG? A hospital uses a 12-lead ECG, which looks at your heart from 12 different angles. A smartwatch uses a 1-lead ECG. The smartwatch is excellent for catching irregular rhythms on the go, but it cannot provide a complete picture of your overall heart structure or detect blocked arteries.

Do I need a paid subscription to view my heart data? For Apple, Garmin, and Samsung, the answer is no. Your heart data, ECG recordings, and AFib history are included for free within their respective companion apps. Other brands, such as Fitbit or Oura, do require premium subscriptions to view long-term heart data trends.