Samsung is removing the Vascular Load Labs feature from Galaxy Watches in the United States. Notifications sent to affected users and posts on the r/GalaxyWatch subreddit confirm that the feature will be discontinued with the release of the One UI 9 watch update in late July.
Samsung has not explained the reason for this change. The subject line of the notification reads: “Vascular Load Labs feature will be discontinued.”
Samsung also mentioned that after the update, existing vascular load data will no longer be visible in Samsung Health, although users are recommended to download their data beforehand.
What Vascular Load Did and How to Save Your Data
Vascular Load was introduced in One UI 8 as a feature that tracks circulatory system stress and offers suggestions for monitoring heart health.
It was classified as a Labs feature, meaning it was an experimental capability released alongside the main Samsung Health app. The feature was available on Galaxy Watch models in the US. Samsung has not specified whether it will be available in other markets following the recent discontinuation notice.
Samsung has announced that users can save their existing vascular load data before deleting it. To download the data, open Samsung Health on the paired phone, tap More options, then Settings, and select Download personal data.
Choose Vascular Load and follow the instructions to export. Anyone who wants to keep track of their vascular load history must complete the export process before deletion at the end of July.
Samsung has not provided details on how long data will remain available for download after the One UI 9 watch update is released.
Why Samsung could be eliminating vascular burden
Samsung has not provided an explanation for the discontinuation of Vascular Load. Some Reddit users have speculated that regulatory issues in the US may be a factor, as features that track health metrics may be subject to FDA rules.
Similar regulatory hurdles previously affected other smartwatch features, such as blood pressure measurement, which required longer approval processes and came with restrictions such as monthly calibration and disclaimers stating that the feature is not intended for medical use.
Android Police has contacted Samsung for a formal statement, but the company has yet to publicly explain the reason for removing the feature.
As vascular burden is gradually removed, Samsung is preparing to launch a new blood pressure trend function. The company has announced that this feature will be available in the US on the upcoming Galaxy Watch, which is expected to be revealed at a Galaxy Unpacked event later this month.
Blood Pressure Trend will monitor and analyze blood pressure over time. Setting up the feature will involve calibrating it with a blood pressure cuff, following the same process used for the Galaxy Watch’s existing blood pressure features.
Samsung has not specified whether Blood Pressure Trend will be available on current Galaxy Watch models or whether it will be limited to new hardware. Users interested in continuous cardiovascular tracking on their wrist should expect more details during the Unpacked event.
What Galaxy Watch users should do next
If you are currently a Galaxy Watch user in the US and rely on Vascular Load, it is a good idea to export your existing Vascular Load data before it is deleted at the end of July to preserve your historical records.
Stay tuned for the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event for updates on blood pressure trends and other health features available on the new Galaxy Watch.
You might also consider alternative methods to track heart health, such as stand-alone blood pressure monitors or apps that monitor heart rate variability.
Users outside the US should wait for confirmation from Samsung to see if Vascular Load will still be available in their region after the launch of One UI 9 on the watch.
The One UI 9 Watch update is expected to launch in late July. In this update, Samsung will phase out Vascular Load in the US. The company has not specified an exact date within the late July window nor provided a detailed rollout timeline beyond that time frame.
Samsung has also not confirmed whether Vascular Load will return in a different form after regulatory review or if its removal will be permanent.
Users can watch Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event later this month to learn more about the company’s plans regarding heart health features for the Galaxy Watch.
