In Brazil, a case in which the healthcare features of Samsung Electronics smart devices helped detect a heart abnormality early and saved a life is drawing attention.
According to Samsung Electronics Latin America and local media reports on the 5th (local time), Roberto Gallarte, a manager at a marine environment and logistics company living in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, suddenly felt chest pain while working out at a gym in June.
Pausing the workout, Gallarte used the electrocardiogram (ECG) function on the Galaxy Watch6 he usually wore to check his condition, and unlike usual, an irregular heart rhythm was detected.
Gallarte immediately went to a hospital, and medical staff, after tests, diagnosed that he was "on the verge of a heart attack, with one coronary artery completely blocked and two nearly blocked." He underwent four coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures and recovered.
After recovering, Gallarte sent an email to Samsung Electronics, expressing thanks and saying, "I am convinced the Galaxy Watch played a decisive role in saving my life." He also said, "I believe my case reflects the real-life lifesaving potential of Samsung's digital health efforts," and noted he would cooperate with related research in the future.
According to Samsung Electronics, the Galaxy Watch's ECG (electrocardiogram) measurement feature can warn of the possibility of "atrial fibrillation (AFib)" if it detects an irregular heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia; because the heart cannot contract and relax normally, its rhythm is disrupted and it can lead to blood clots or serious complications such as stroke or heart failure.
Gallarte's case has been featured by local media, including major Brazilian broadcaster SBT, drawing attention. His primary physician said, "A smartwatch cannot replace a medical diagnosis, but it is very helpful in prompting a hospital visit when symptoms appear."
A similar case occurred in Mexico. Influencer "Charlypi," known for electronics reviews, discovered symptoms of sleep apnea from sleep data collected by a Galaxy Watch and received treatment.