Pixel Watch 3 Receives FDA Approval for Pulse Loss Detection in the U.S.

Google’s Pixel Watch 3 has a significant health feature that recently received approval from the FDA, known as Loss of Pulse Detection. This feature is designed to indicate when a user may be experiencing severe health issues, such as primary cardiac arrest or a failure in their respiratory or circulatory system. Although this feature was available in 14 European countries, it won’t be available in the U.S. until late March 2025.

The Pixel Watch 3 aims to enhance users’ heart health monitoring with its advanced Fitbit sensors. Google announced that the FDA has cleared the Loss of Pulse Detection feature for use in the United States, which indicates that the technology is reliable enough to use on a consumer device. When the watch detects a loss of pulse, it will vibrate to alert the wearer, followed by a message checking on their condition. If the person doesn’t respond, the watch will trigger an alarm to alert those nearby and, if necessary, automatically call emergency services while sending out the user’s location.

This feature was a key highlight during the Pixel Watch 3’s launch in September. While it quickly rolled out to several countries in Europe and the UK, Google needed to obtain regulatory approval before it could be offered to U.S. customers. Some buyers in the U.S. may have assumed that it was immediately accessible, given the promotional focus at launch.

Fortunately, Google has provided an update indicating that the feature will begin to roll out in the U.S. at the end of March, which is a short wait for interested buyers. However, it’s important to note that this feature will not be available on earlier models of the Pixel Watch.

The Pixel Watch 3 is currently available in 32 countries, meaning many regions still won’t have the Loss of Pulse Detection feature before the U.S. It is already available in countries such as Austria, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, among others. Google has stated that more countries will be added as they receive regulatory approval.

While the Loss of Pulse Detection feature is crucial for emergencies, the Pixel Watch 3 offers a variety of preventive heart health tools. It features an ECG to check for signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib) during specific checks and provides automatic alerts for irregular heart rhythms throughout the day.

Additionally, the watch has capabilities to detect sudden falls or car accidents. If the user fails to respond to prompts after such an incident, it will also reach out to emergency services for help.

The Pixel Watch 3 is considered one of the most accurate smartwatches for tracking heart rate data, making it a reliable option for fitness enthusiasts as well. Its combination of emergency response capabilities and preventive health monitoring showcases the growing trend of integrating health technology into wearable devices. As the market for smartwatches expands, many are eager to see what new health features will be introduced in future models like the Pixel Watch 4.