Apple Watch can now detect hypertension

Apple unveiled its new Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 features today, including Apple's first attempt at blood pressure monitoring.

With advanced detection tools powered by machine learning, Apple explained, watches will now track and monitor signs of hypertension over a period of time. If the watch deduces the wearer is experiencing chronic high blood pressure, it will urge users to record their blood pressure using a third-party blood pressure cuff and alert their physician, according to American Heart Association guidelines.

The device uses an optical heart sensor to analyze how blood vessels respond to heart beats over a 30-day period. Its algorithm was built using data from 100,000 participants and later validated in a clinical study of over 2,000 participants, said Apple.

Credit: Apple

It won't be able to detect every moment of hypertension, but Apple still anticipates it will help more than a million wearers. "Hypertension is the leading modifiable risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease, and impacts approximately 1.3 billion adults globally," wrote Apple. "It is frequently undiagnosed because it often has no symptoms, many people do not see a doctor regularly, and even during a clinical visit, it can be easily missed with a single measurement."

Apple says it is expecting FDA clearance of the technology soon.

The company has been exploring blood pressure monitoring for years, first rumored to be in the works in 2021 and later delayed ahead of the Apple Watch 10 announcement.

The feature will be available starting on Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and later, as well as watchOS 26.