Health monitoring features on smartwatches and earbuds now available in Kazakhstan

Access to health monitoring features on Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and AirPods Pro devices has been expanded in Kazakhstan.

Users with compatible devices can record an ECG, receive notifications about irregular heart rhythms and possible breathing disturbances during sleep, measure blood pressure, and test their hearing.

Compatible Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch models can record an electrocardiogram and save the results to a smartphone for discussion with a doctor if necessary.

Samsung watches can also measure blood pressure through the Samsung Health Monitor app. The feature must first be calibrated using a cuff-based blood pressure monitor. Calibration must be repeated every 28 days.

Apple Watch Series 9 and later models support notifications about possible breathing disturbances during sleep.

Owners of AirPods Pro 2 and later models can take a hearing test through the Health app. The test takes about five minutes and should be completed in a quiet environment.

The hearing aid feature can amplify surrounding sounds for adult users with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. It can be configured using hearing test results or an audiogram provided by a specialist.

To use the new features, users must update the software on their smartphone and compatible device, then configure the required functions in the app.

The Ministry of Healthcare emphasises that data from smartwatches and earbuds is intended for prevention and self-monitoring. It should not be used to make a diagnosis or prescribe treatment without consulting a healthcare professional.