# Apple Watch Hypertension Alerts: A Detailed Guide
A standout new functionality of Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11 is the hypertension alerts. In an unexpected turn, watchOS 26 extends this new hypertension feature to select earlier Apple Watch models too. Here’s how you can configure it, and which models are supported.
## Compatibility Criteria for Apple Watch Hypertension Notifications
Hypertension alerts are now accessible in watchOS 26 for the following Apple Watch versions:
– Apple Watch Series 11
– Apple Watch Series 10
– Apple Watch Series 9
– Apple Watch Ultra 3
– Apple Watch Ultra 2
To enable this feature, you will also need an iPhone 11 or newer operating iOS 26.
Apple has set additional criteria to utilize this feature:
1. Wrist Detection must be activated on your Apple Watch.
2. You must be at least 22 years old, not pregnant, and have no prior diagnosis of hypertension.
The process to activate hypertension notifications involves confirming most of these details when prompted.
## How to Utilize the Hypertension Feature in watchOS 26
Once you have fulfilled all the aforementioned requirements, here’s what you need to do to turn on hypertension notifications:
1. On your iPhone, launch the Health app.
2. Tap your profile icon at the top corner.
3. Under Features, select ‘Health Checklist’.
4. Choose ‘Hypertension Notifications’.
5. Confirm your age and whether you’ve had a hypertension diagnosis, then tap Continue.
6. Select Next to follow the on-screen instructions to understand how the notifications function.
7. Tap Done.
After finishing the setup, you won’t begin receiving hypertension notifications right away. Apple requires a span of 30 days to collect initial data before it can accurately predict if you may be showing signs of hypertension.
Apple clarifies:
> Your Apple Watch can evaluate data gathered by the optical heart sensor and alert you if it notices a trend of hypertension. This occurs over 30-day assessment periods, commencing from the date you configure hypertension notifications.
For further details, refer to the complete support document on Apple’s website.
