Oura adds cardiovascular tracking features to smart rings

Oura is expanding the functionality of its wearable hardware with two new health-tracking features: Cardio Effort and automatic VO2 Max. These features are available exclusively to users with an active Oura membership and are compatible with the Oura Ring Gen 3 and later models.

Cardio Effort shifts the focus from traditional activity tracking, such as calories burned or distance traveled, toward measuring the intensity of the cardiovascular system during workouts. The automatic VO2 Max feature replaces manual testing by providing ongoing estimates of a user’s aerobic capacity.

By integrating these metrics, Oura aims to provide data on how exercise habits influence long-term health. These additions reflect a broader industry trend where wearable manufacturers are moving toward medical-adjacent health monitoring to distinguish their devices in a competitive market.