See the Samsung Galaxy S5's heart rate monitor in action

Here's how to put your finger on the pulse of your own pulse, right from Samsung's next superphone.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations

Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).

Expertise Content strategy, team leadership, audience engagement, iPhone, Samsung, Android, iOS, tips and FAQs.

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Jessica Dolcourt

Feb. 25, 2014 6:44 a.m. PT

Survey your health on using the Samsung Galaxy S5's built-in heart-rate monitor. Sarah Tew/CNET

BARCELONA, Spain -- Exercise aficionados who want to log their heart-rate after a workout and even in between have a new tool in the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Using it is as simple as selecting the heart-rate monitor icon from within Samsung's newly-updated S Health 3.0 app, which comes preloaded in the Galaxy S5. Then, you place your index finger on the center of the flash module, just to the right of the flash.

The app wants you to hold your finger in place for several seconds, while holding still and shutting your yap as the monitor calculates. Your results don't mean a lot on their own, but when you track your heart rate over time, you can watch your progress as your blood pressure rises and drops.