Apple is making a major health-focused update that many users have been waiting for. Hypertension Alerts Coming to Older Apple Watch Models will roll out with watchOS 26, expanding the life-saving feature beyond the latest devices.
Initially announced for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch Series 11, the hypertension detection feature will now be available on the Apple Watch Series 9 and later, as well as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later. Apple confirmed that FDA clearance is on the way, with global availability expected in more than 150 countries this month.
How Hypertension Alerts Work on Apple Watch
The new alerts use the optical heart sensor to monitor changes in blood vessels over a 30-day period. If the system detects consistent signs of chronic high blood pressure, it will notify the user.
Hypertension impacts around 1.3 billion adults worldwide and is often called a "silent killer" because symptoms are rare. By introducing these alerts to more models, Apple is positioning the Watch as not just a fitness device, but an essential health tool.
Backed by Research and Clinical Trials
Apple says its hypertension detection was trained with machine learning models using health data from over 100,000 participants. The feature was validated in clinical studies involving more than 2,000 participants.
According to Apple, this technology could help notify over 1 million people with undiagnosed hypertension in its first year alone. That’s a huge step forward in preventive healthcare.
What Users Should Do After Receiving Alerts
If you receive a hypertension notification on your Apple Watch, Apple advises following American Heart Association guidelines. This includes tracking your blood pressure for seven days with a third-party cuff and sharing the results with your healthcare provider.
This ensures that alerts are confirmed with traditional monitoring methods before you take any medical action.
Release Timeline for watchOS 26
watchOS 26, which unlocks hypertension alerts for older Apple Watch models, will officially launch on September 15, 2025. Alongside this, the update will also bring new features powered by Apple Intelligence across the Watch lineup.
For users with compatible models, this update could be a life-changing addition that turns their Apple Watch into a powerful health companion.
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