"Galaxy Watch Saved My Life": Brazilian Man Sends Thank-You Letter to Samsung Electronics

Felt Chest Pain While Exercising, Measured ECG
Underwent Heart Surgery After Detection and Recovered

Roberto Gallart wearing a Galaxy Watch and his electrocardiogram measurement data. Samsung Electronics Latin America Headquarters

A story has gone viral about a man who discovered a physical abnormality and underwent emergency surgery thanks to Samsung Electronics' smart device, the Galaxy Watch.

According to Samsung Electronics Latin America Headquarters and Mexico's tech industry on November 5 (local time), Roberto Gallart, a manager at a marine environment and logistics company living in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, felt a sharp chest pain while exercising at a gym in June.

After completing part of his planned workout routine, he used his Galaxy Watch 6, which he wore regularly, to perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) measurement using its healthcare feature. Unlike usual, he noticed for the first time that day that the device displayed an irregular rhythm.

Alarmed by the abnormal signals detected in four consecutive measurements, Gallart immediately went to the hospital. Medical staff told him that one of his coronary arteries was completely blocked and two others were almost blocked, putting him on the verge of a heart attack-a condition that could have resulted in death at any moment. He subsequently underwent four coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgeries and has since recovered.

Gallart sent an email directly to Samsung, expressing his gratitude and stating, "I am convinced that the Galaxy Watch played a decisive role in saving my life."

He further stated, "I am officially sharing my story because I believe it reflects the real-life life-saving potential of Samsung's digital health field," and expressed his willingness to cooperate so that his case could contribute to ongoing or planned research in the relevant field.

According to Samsung, the Galaxy Watch provides warnings about abnormal signs such as possible atrial fibrillation if it continuously detects irregular heartbeats in the user. Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia disorder, in which the atria fail to contract and relax normally, disrupting the heart's rhythm and causing symptoms such as chest discomfort, dizziness, and shortness of breath. As blood flow becomes irregular, blood clots can form, significantly increasing the risk of complications such as stroke, heart failure, and dementia.