Apple presented three new Apple Watch models at the iPhone 17 event on Tuesday, which include the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3. In conjunction with the new devices, the company unveiled two fresh health features: hypertension notifications and Sleep Score. Although the latter is currently accessible to Apple Watch users, Apple mentioned during the event that hypertension notifications will be launched only after obtaining approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory bodies. According to 9to5Mac and Bloomberg, Apple has already secured clearance from the FDA, confirming that the feature will be available for supported devices next week.
Hypertension notifications will be accessible via the watchOS 26 update; new hardware won’t be necessary for it to function. Apple’s press announcement suggests that earlier Apple Watch models will also receive this feature. Besides the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 will be compatible with hypertension notifications. Apple also indicated it will introduce the feature to Apple Watch users across more than 150 countries.
How hypertension notifications function on the Apple Watch
Apple stated during the iPhone 17 event that hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects approximately 1.3 billion adults globally, with the American Heart Association designating it as a silent killer because it often lacks symptoms. High blood pressure is a risk factor for potentially fatal conditions, such as heart attack and stroke. Importantly, the Apple Watch will not provide real-time blood pressure readings to users. Instead, Apple’s new algorithm operates in the background, evaluating how your blood vessels react to heartbeats. This algorithm analyzes data over 30-day intervals and sends notifications if it identifies patterns indicative of high blood pressure.
The algorithm collects data from the Apple Watch’s optical heart sensor. Apple remarked on stage that it developed the new feature using advanced machine learning techniques and a series of studies involving over 100,000 participants. The FDA approval represents a significant milestone, as it indicates that the Apple Watch can actually be utilized for monitoring blood pressure. It is crucial to note that the hypertension notification feature will not catch every instance of hypertension. Nevertheless, an early warning about high blood pressure could greatly enhance one’s health, as individuals can promptly seek advice and treatment from a healthcare professional.
