Hypertension Alerts Coming to Older Apple Watch Models

[MacRumors]

Apple has announced that its new hypertension detection feature, initially exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch Series 11, will be expanded to include earlier Apple Watch models.

The feature will be available on Apple Watch Series 9 and later, plus Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later models, with watchOS 26. FDA clearance is expected soon, with availability in over 150 countries this month.

Hypertension detection uses the optical heart sensor to analyze blood vessel responses over 30-day periods, alerting users to consistent signs of chronic high blood pressure. Hypertension affects approximately 1.3 billion adults globally and often goes undiagnosed due to lack of symptoms.

Apple says its hypertension notifications were developed using machine learning and training data from studies involving over 100,000 participants. The technology was validated in clinical trials with more than 2,000 participants. Apple 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.

watchOS 26 will be released on September 15, while the new Apple Watch Series 3 and Apple Watch Series 11 will begin shipping September 19.

Article Link: Hypertension Alerts Coming to Older Apple Watch Models

 

[Taq'aix]

Excellent, gonna keep my Ultra 2 for another year.

 

[DrRadon]

Great news! Also kinda reduces reasons to upgrade further.
Is the sleep score also available for all?

 

[germanbeer007]

but wait, I thought the haters said Apple pretends to lock features to the new models to sell more units, and then brings it to the older models later.

 

[Zachari]

A rare Apple W.

 

[seanmcbay]

What a nice surprise. I cancelled my 11 preorder after finding out my 9 will get this too.

 

[svish]

Very happy to see my Series 10 getting it. Don't see any reason to upgrade. Will try it out on my watch.

 

[BornAgainMac]

Not having to pay for a new Apple Watch will keep my blood pressure down.

 

[BornAgainMac]

Great news! Also kinda reduces reasons to upgrade further.
Is the sleep score also available for all?

Yes. Even for really old watches.

 

[Ethan.Albano]

Great news! Also kinda reduces reasons to upgrade further.
Is the sleep score also available for all?

It seems to be available for all watches supporting sleep tracking! In the comparison view, my Series 7 shows it as a supported metric!

 

[Dave245]

So no actual blood pressure monitoring?

 

[macduke]

I applaud Apple for putting public health above profit. This will likely save lives down the road. Many people have high blood pressure and don't even realize, especially in the US where our health system is subpar and our waistlines are super par.

 

[DrRadon]

It seems to be available for all watches supporting sleep tracking! In the comparison view, my Series 7 shows it as a supported metric!
View attachment 2545190

That’s really cool. So the only new features is the bigger battery? And potentially diamond black not breaking as often as my jet black Apple Watch 10. 😅

 

[DrRadon]

So no actual blood pressure monitoring?

Yes.

 

[seanmcbay]

Seems like the only thing the 11 has over the 10 is better battery and a more durable screen. Everything else seems the same.

 

[tyranne201]

gotta wait for a bigger redesign.

 

[senttoschool]

Glad it's coming to my Series 9 but not happy about it because it's bad for AAPL.

 

[tyranne201]

Seems like the only thing the 11 has over the 10 is better battery and a more durable screen. Everything else seems the same.

even the chip/colors is the same. and the new bands are not exciting.

 

[Jerhen]

Glad that Apple is doing this! I have a SS Series 9 back a couple years ago from getting the aluminum models because I wanted the more durable screen. No reason to upgrade and glad they are supporting older models.

 

[Innovati0n]

So going from Series 10 to Series 11 brings nothing outside of minor battery improvements?

 

[Belisama]

It's really blatant communication.
I guess they gave a lot to the now corrupted FDA to obtain the right to say this...
Get a real smart BP monitor... They are really useful, reliable and clinically significant.
Almost everybody may one day "possible" hypertension!!!
What's next ? Possible death ? Spoiler: the probability is 1 for everybody...
The Apple Watch has many useful function IMO but this is pure BS IMO.

 

[the future]

Seems like the only thing the 11 has over the 10 is better battery and a more durable screen. Everything else seems the same.

And 5G.

(Plus, for some strange reason, the Wrist Flick gesture.)

 

[alayal]

And 5G.

(Plus, for some strange reason, the Wrist Flick gesture.)

it is available in AW S10 in RC so it has to be a typo

 

[DrRadon]

So going from Series 10 to Series 11 brings nothing outside of minor battery improvements?

Yup. These devices have been manufactured to their maximum capability already. With AirPods Pro tracking workouts and a ring allegedly coming at some point the watch might become a iPod like product in a few years. Great but obsolete. I would not even hate that. As a stylish accessory the watch is pretty much average by definition since it’s the most sold watch in the world. It takes up some prime realestate in your appearance looking almost the same for a decade now.

 

[alayal]

do anybody knows if this is already available in the RC? I don't see how to activate it or check if it is active. Sleep score is there also for past months that's great but not hypertension measurement or alerts.