Apple is significantly expanding access to its groundbreaking hypertension detection feature, initially available only on its newest Apple Watch models. Starting this month, millions of users with older Apple Watches will receive vital alerts about potentially dangerous high blood pressure. This crucial update, arriving with watchOS 26 on September 15th, will be compatible with Apple Watch Series 9 and later, as well as Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later models.
This innovative technology leverages the optical heart sensor within the Apple Watch to continuously monitor blood vessel responses over a 30-day period. Through advanced machine learning algorithms, trained on data from over 100,000 participants in extensive clinical trials, the Apple Watch can detect consistent signs of chronic high blood pressure. This is a game-changer, considering that approximately 1.3 billion adults worldwide suffer from hypertension, often remaining undiagnosed due to a lack of noticeable symptoms.
The accuracy and reliability of this feature have been rigorously validated in clinical studies involving more than 2,000 participants. Apple anticipates that this expansion will notify over one million individuals with previously undiagnosed hypertension within the first year alone. This early detection could save countless lives.
It's important to note that receiving a hypertension notification is not a diagnosis. Users are advised to confirm the results by monitoring their blood pressure using a traditional cuff for seven consecutive days and sharing this data with their healthcare provider. This process aligns with the recommendations of the American Heart Association. The timely rollout of this life-saving feature coincides with the September 19th launch of the new Apple Watch Series 3 and Apple Watch Series 11.
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Originally published at: https://www.macrumors.com/2025/09/09/hypertension-alerts-older-apple-watch-models/
