Samsung Electronics’ blood pressure measuring mobile application Samsung Health Monitor was approved by South Korean authorities Tuesday.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said that this is the first time worldwide that a software has been approved to be able to sense a person’s blood pressure without the use of a second device, such as a cuff.

Cuffs are arm bands that electronically contract to measure a person’s upper and lower blood pressure. The devices cost from $55 to $200.

The Samsung Health Monitor app requires an initial input of blood pressure measured using a traditional cuff monitor as a barometer. Afterward, it utilizes a heartbeat sensor within Samsung’s smart watch to continuously monitor the wearer’s blood pressure.

The sensor app fulfilled the Drug Ministry’s requirements of average margin of error equivalent to less than 5 mmHg for blood pressure, and margin of error less than 5 percent for heart beat.

Samsung said the standard blood pressure must be updated every four weeks using a calibration reading from a traditional cuff monitor, but users will be able to self-monitor their blood pressure with a mere tap on the watch on a daily basis.

“The Samsung Health Monitor app has the potential to help millions of people around the world who are affected by high blood pressure,” said Yang Tae-jong, corporate senior vice president at Samsung Electronics.

The Samsung Health Monitor app is scheduled to be launched in the third quarter this year, as part of an immediate software update on Galaxy Watch Active 2 and future wearable devices.

The Drug Ministry has since February allowed for independent approvals of “Software as a Medical Device” unlinked to the platform devices or machinery.

So far, a total of 35 health care software products were approved as mobile medical apps.

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)