Does Garmin Fenix 7 Pro have ECG?

Fenix 7 Pro Solar and Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar are the two latest variants of Garmin smartwatches. These variants have been released by Garmin in the last week of May 2023.

Fenix 7 Pro Solar and Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar smartwatches were expected to come with the Garmin ECG app.

Beginning October 2023, Fenix 7 Pro Solar and Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar watches do support the ECG functionality.

At the time of the launch of the Fenix 7 Pro series smartwatches, the Garmin ECG app was not supported in any variant. However, in October 2023, Fenix 7 Pro has received a software update. It enables the support for the Garmin ECG app in Fenix 7 Pro series smartwatches.

We look at the Garmin ECG app on Fenix 7 Pro Solar and Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar watches.

Smartwatch features covered in this post

Garmin ECG app release

Garmin had filed a 510(K) Premarket Notification for Garmin App in June 2022. The 510(K) Premarket Notification was approved by FDA on 12th January 2023. You can check the FDA approval on this link.

After the FDA approval, the Garmin ECG app was enabled on the Venu 2 Plus smartwatch on 24 January 2023.

Due to the Garmin ECG app’s release for Venu 2 Plus, it was expected that the Fenix 7 Pro Solar, Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar, and Epix 2 Pro watches will have the ECG feature.

In October 2023, the Garmin ECG app was enabled for other smartwatches. The newer smartwatches of Garmin which support the Garmin ECG app are:

Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 3S
Garmin Epix 2 Pro series
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro series

What does the ECG app do?

Garmin ECG app can take spot ECG readings or electrocardiogram readings using the sensor at the back of the watch. The ECG readings are available on the smartwatch immediately.

You can also use the Garmin Connect app to see the ECG readings. Using Garmin Connect, you can also share the ECG report with your Doctor.

ECG reports are available in Garmin Connect after you sync the watch with the Garmin Connect app on the paired smartphone.

All historical ECG readings are also available for later viewing in the Garmin Connect app.

Next-generation optical heart rate sensor

Fenix 7 Pro Solar and Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar smartwatches come with the next-generation optical heart rate sensor.

The wide body sensor at the back of the watch seems to be ready for taking spot readings of ECG.

This has allowed Garmin to enable support for the Garmin ECG app for the Fenix 7 Pro Solar and Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar watches. The ECG capability seemed to have been in-built into the device. It was a matter of enabling it.

Garmin may have evaluated the performance of the ECG app on the Venu 2 Plus smartwatch before it rolled out the ECG feature on other smartwatches.

Garmin ECG availability

The Garmin ECG app is currently available in the following countries:

United States
Hong Kong
Vietnam

We expect that Garmin will add coverage for the ECG app in more countries soon and on additional Garmin smartwatches.

Only the Garmin Venu 2 Plus , Venu 3 series, Epix 2 Pro series and Fenix 7 Pro series smartwatches have the ECG feature as we write this in October 2023.

Atrial Fibrillation and Garmin ECG app

Garmin ECG app is expected to detect Atrial Fibrillation conditions. The ECG readings will help in finding heart rhythm issues. Irregular heart rhythm issues can be detected using the ECG feature.

ECG readings can be taken on a spot basis. A 30-second ECG reading can be taken using the supporting Garmin smartwatch. Wrist-based sensors on the watch can be used for taking electrocardiogram readings.

This reading will plot the heart rhythm of the watch wearer and prepare a report to share with the medical practitioner.

An AFib rhythm result means your heartbeat pattern appears irregular. AFib is an irregular heart rhythm caused by your heart’s upper and lower chambers not beating in sync. You should speak with your doctor if you receive an AFib rhythm result in the Garmin ECG app reading.

It may be pertinent to mention that Apple watches provide a very dependable ECG feature. Apple watches are able to detect AFib or Atrial Fibrillation conditions effectively.

The performance of the Garmin ECG app needs to be seen in comparison with the Apple watch’s ECG feature. Is the Garmin ECG app as good as the Apple watch’s ECG feature?

Garmin Connect app

Garmin Connect app forms the basis of the analysis of ECG reports for sharing with medical practitioners. The Garmin Connect app is available for Android and iOS mobile operating systems.

The Garmin ECG app is compatible with Garmin Connect version 4.6.2 or higher.

Garmin Connect app is compatible with:

Android version 7 or higher
iOS version 15 or higher

You can download the Garmin Connect app for Android phones from the Google Play store. For iOS devices, you can download the Garmin Connect app from the app store.

Closing thoughts

The Garmin ECG app is available for the Fenix 7 Pro series smartwatches as of today. Therefore the ECG feature has been made available on Fenix 7 Pro watches.

Does Fenix 7 Pro have ECG?