# Apple Watch Hypertension Alerts: An In-Depth Overview
A standout feature of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11 is the hypertension alerts. In an exciting development, watchOS 26 also introduces this hypertension functionality to certain previous Apple Watch models. Here’s how to enable it and which models are supported.
## Compatibility Criteria for Apple Watch Hypertension Alerts
Hypertension alerts are accessible in watchOS 26 for these Apple Watch models:
– Apple Watch Series 11
– Apple Watch Series 10
– Apple Watch Series 9
– Apple Watch Ultra 3
– Apple Watch Ultra 2
To enable this feature, an iPhone 11 or newer running iOS 26 is also required. Apple has more specific requirements to utilize this feature:
1. Wrist Detection must be turned on for your Apple Watch.
2. You should be at least 22 years old, not pregnant, and not diagnosed with hypertension.
The process of activating hypertension alerts involves confirming most of these details when prompted.
## Steps to Access the Hypertension Feature in watchOS 26
After fulfilling all the above requirements, here’s how to turn on hypertension alerts:
1. Launch the Health app on your iPhone.
2. Select your profile icon in the top corner.
3. Under Features, tap ‘Health Checklist’.
4. Tap ‘Hypertension Notifications’.
5. Verify your age and whether you have been diagnosed with hypertension, then select Continue.
6. Tap Next to follow the prompts on the screen to learn about how the alerts function.
7. Press Done.
Once you finish the setup, you won’t receive hypertension notifications right away. Apple requires a 30-day period to collect initial data before it can accurately determine if you may be showing signs of hypertension.
Apple states:
> “Your Apple Watch can evaluate data from the optical heart sensor and inform you if it detects a pattern of hypertension. This occurs over 30-day assessment intervals, starting from when you set up hypertension alerts.”
For additional information, refer to the [comprehensive support document](https://support.apple.com/en-us/117296) on Apple’s site.
