Apple Watch Hypertension Alerts Get FDA Clearance, Launching Next Week

[MacRumors]

Apple's hypertension detection feature for Apple Watch has received FDA clearance and will launch next week, according to 9to5Mac.

When Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 on Tuesday, the company said it expected FDA approval "soon" for hypertension alerts. That clearance has now been granted.

The feature will be available on Apple Watch Series 9 and later, plus Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later models, expanding beyond the newly announced watches. Hypertension alerts will launch in the U.S. and more than 150 countries, though some regions may require their own independent regulatory approval.

Hypertension notifications use the Apple Watch's optical heart sensor to analyze blood vessel responses over 30-day periods, alerting users to consistent signs of chronic high blood pressure. The condition affects approximately 1.3 billion adults globally and often goes undiagnosed due to lack of symptoms.

Apple developed the technology using machine learning and training data from studies involving over 100,000 participants. The company validated it in clinical trials with more than 2,000 participants and expects the feature to notify over 1 million people with undiagnosed hypertension within its first year.

Users who receive notifications are advised to monitor their blood pressure for seven days using a third-party cuff and share results with healthcare providers, following American Heart Association guidelines.

Expect the feature to appear as part of watchOS 26 when it rolls out on Monday, September 15.

Article Link: Apple Watch Hypertension Alerts Get FDA Clearance, Launching Next Week

 

[Justin Cymbal]

Nice!

I’m glad that Apple continues to make health improvements to the Apple Watch every year

This was the first year that we didn’t get a new version of the chip in the Apple Watch, but the additional health features in this year’s watch are definitely awesome to have

 

[wbrat]

Hypertension alerts will launch in more than 150 countries, including the US, EU, Hong Kong, and New Zealand.

I am always wondering what is the key of choosing specific countries among a list of 150+ in such sentences…

 

[Kissmo1980]

Update to WatchOS and iOS RC incoming on Monday

 

[BigDO]

Disappointing that AWU1 doesn’t get this feature.

 

[9Jooey]

series 10 😍...

 

[Mikeske]

Well that blew up my excuse to getting a new Apple Watch Ultra 3 as I was thinking of a new one but Apple Watch Ultra 2 has the same function as new ones. Oh well saved some coin

 

[svish]

Good to see that it is coming to my Series 10 and without any delay. Expecting it to be available in my region too.

 

[Pezimak]

Wow that was fast! I did not know it was coming to some older gen watches, not mine sadly, but it may make it worth while seeking out a bargain Ultra 2 model….

 

[FattiesGoneWild]

I was quite shocked this was coming to Ultra 2 and a very welcome surprise.

 

[I7guy]

This is a useful feature and glad it wasn’t Sherlocked to the S11/AWU3. Good job Apple.

 

[FattiesGoneWild]

Disappointing that AWU1 doesn’t get this feature.

Early adopter penalty unfortunately.

 

[jecowa]

Blood pressure monitoring seems kind of cool, but I think most people get their blood pressure checked every time they visit the doctor. Most people who have high blood pressure already know about it, especially the ones who can afford an Apple Watch.

 

[tonie walker]

tapping my UW1, it’s okay you will be fine for now.

 

[haydesigner]

I am always wondering what is the key of choosing specific countries among a list of 150+ in such sentences…

It’s where all the biggest tech geeks are. And the hobbits.

 

[Edd70]

Blood pressure monitoring seems kind of cool, but I think most people get their blood pressure checked every time they visit the doctor. Most people who have high blood pressure already know about it, especially the ones who can afford an Apple Watch.

Not so sure, hypertension is quiet. A lot of people are weird about going to the doctor, even if they can afford it. Also, a yearly physical won’t always reveal it. If this update is reasonably accurate, many people may get a surprise about their health.

 

[BlueCreek]

Blood pressure monitoring seems kind of cool, but I think most people get their blood pressure checked every time they visit the doctor. Most people who have high blood pressure already know about it, especially the ones who can afford an Apple Watch.

The condition affects approximately 1.3 billion adults globally and often goes undiagnosed due to lack of symptoms

…and expects the feature to notify over 1 million people with undiagnosed hypertension within its first year.

Did you even read the article?

 

[srknpower]

Major countries like Australia, Brazil, Canada, Turkey don’t get the feature yet. I hope the feature rolls out in the world soon just like sleep apnea notifications.

 

[Kottu]

Disappointing that AWU1 doesn’t get this feature.

True: Sounds like consumer should always avoid first generation of Apple products if they want better support from Apple in future.

 

[hawros]

Surprising and pleasing that this is coming to my Series 9. Now I need to rethink my pre-order of the Ultra 3, as this was a key reason to upgrade... 🤔

 

[OS X Dude]

This is a useful feature and glad it wasn’t Sherlocked to the S11/AWU3. Good job Apple.

That's not what Sherlocking means, but I share your sentiment.

 

[neuropsychguy]

Blood pressure monitoring seems kind of cool, but I think most people get their blood pressure checked every time they visit the doctor. Most people who have high blood pressure already know about it, especially the ones who can afford an Apple Watch.

We’d like to think that is the case. However, blood pressure is variable. Problems with it are easily missed by healthcare providers because on the day someone goes to get a check up that person might just happen to have lower blood pressure than normal. I have an extended family member who has excellent healthcare, but who had a blood pressure issue that was missed. This family member ended up having a large stroke. Something like this might have alerted the individual to a potential problem.

 

[g-7]

more than 150 countries

And here is the list: https://www.apple.com/watchos/feature-availability/#health-hypertension-notifications

 

[jdavid_rp]

Nice!

I’m glad that Apple continues to make health improvements to the Apple Watch every year

This was the first year that we didn’t get a new version of the chip in the Apple Watch, but the additional health features in this year’s watch are definitely awesome to have

Technically they are watchOS health features as they’re not exclusive for the new watch.

 

[Black Belt]

Great! Real healthcare help is good for everyone