Apple has introduced a new feature called hypertension notifications on the Apple Watch that can detect signs of high blood pressure.
- The feature uses data from the watch’s optical heart sensor to analyze how blood vessels respond to heartbeats.
- Over a 30-day period, the algorithm monitors for patterns that may suggest chronic hypertension and sends an alert if it detects consistent signs.
- Apple expects this to help notify over 1 million people who might have undiagnosed high blood pressure in the first year.
How It Works & What It Isn’t
What It Is:
- The feature is not a blood pressure cuff and does not give a numerical blood pressure reading.
- Instead, it identifies risk by analyzing how your blood vessels behave during heartbeats. If the data over time crosses certain thresholds, it triggers a notification.
- It’s passive and runs in the background; the user does nothing special except wear the compatible watch.
Limitations & What Users Should Know:
- It won’t catch all cases of hypertension. Some people with high blood pressure may not be flagged by the algorithm.
- False positives are possible—it may alert users who don’t actually have high blood pressure. Users are advised to confirm with a standard blood pressure cuff and consult a healthcare provider.
- The feature is meant for early detection / awareness, not diagnosis or treatment.
Availability & Devices
- It will be available on Apple Watch Series 9 and later, and on Ultra 2 and later models.
- The feature rolls out with watchOS 26. The Verge
- It will be available in over 150 countries and regions.
Why It Matters
- Hypertension is often called a “silent killer.” Many people have high blood pressure without symptoms, and it contributes to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, etc. Early detection is very valuable.
- Since many users already wear an Apple Watch, this feature may help identify risk in people who don’t regularly visit doctors for checkups.
- Raises awareness about cardiovascular health, could encourage behavioral changes (diet, exercise, monitoring) earlier.
