If you’ve ever used a smartwatch, you’ve probably noticed a blinking green light on its underside. This light isn’t just a design feature; it’s an advanced technological tool that measures your heart rate. In this post, we’ll explain how this innovation works and why it’s key to monitoring your health.
What Is the Green Light on Smartwatches?
The green light you see on your smartwatch is part of a technology called photoplethysmography (PPG).This simple yet effective method detects changes in blood flow beneath your skin, allowing your watch to measure your heart rate accurately.
Photoplethysmography (PPG): The Science Behind the Green Light
PPG works by emitting green light onto your skin and measuring the amount of light reflected back. When your heart beats, blood flow increases, absorbing more green light. Between beats, absorption decreases. These changes are detected by photodiodes in the smartwatch, which calculate your heart rate hundreds of times per second.
Why Is Green Light Used Instead of Other Colors?
Green light is ideal for this purpose because blood, which is red, absorbs green light effectively. This allows the smartwatch’s sensors to accurately detect fluctuations in blood flow.
How Smartwatches Measure Your Heart Rate
Modern smartwatches are equipped with green LEDs and photodiodes that work together to measure your heart rate. These devices emit and detect light hundreds of times per second, providing precise data about your cardiovascular health.
Conclusion :
The green light on your smartwatch is more than just an indicator; it’s a window into your cardiovascular well-being. By understanding how this technology works, we can better appreciate how wearable devices are revolutionizing health tracking. If you want to learn more about how smartwatches can improve your life, check out our post on smartwatches and health.
