Garmin Connect update brings blood pressure data sharing feature

The latest update to the Garmin Connect app is asking users to permit it to share blood pressure readings with Apple Health; currently, you cannot store blood pressure readings with Garmin Connect. The new setting enables you to use “Connect” to share Diastolic Blood Pressure and Systolic Blood Pressure readings with the Apple app. However, it is unclear how Garmin would collect this blood pressure data.

Rumors suggest that this new feature is linked to a blood pressure cuff the company is working on, named Index BPM. This theory is backed up by code in the Garmin Connect app, such as “Your Garmin Index BPM measures and tracks systolic and diastolic blood pressure with the press of a button”. Plus, the company recently patented an intelligent blood pressure monitor. The device would be able to intelligently identify a user and notify you when the conditions are optimal to take a reading.

Alternatively, it could be that the feature has been designed to allow you to enter readings manually. Or, you could use the tool to transfer blood pressure readings made using a smartwatch. Garmin is rumored to be developing a solution that would use the ECG sensors and an electrically-conductive plate to take a blood pressure reading from your wrist. This is not the only new feature for Garmin Connect, with the company recently adding support for blood glucose monitoring to the app.

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