Earlier this week, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 11, prominently featuring a new capability: hypertension notifications. It has since come to light that this functionality will also be available for select older models of the Apple Watch. However, there was a collective pause as users awaited FDA approval before the feature could be rolled out. Fortunately, that hurdle has now been cleared.

Initially, Apple indicated that this feature would arrive sometime “this month.” However, a recent announcement confirmed that the FDA has granted approval, and these hypertension notifications will officially launch with watchOS 26 on Monday. This means there will be no delay, allowing the capability to be utilized right from the start for the Apple Watch Series 11, along with earlier models like Series 9 and Series 10. For those who prefer the premium option, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will also feature these notifications upon release, with the Ultra 2 being among the compatible older models available on Monday.

This development is particularly promising for families with a history of heart-related ailments. Although these notifications will not replace a full blood pressure monitoring device, they aim to provide early warnings about potential issues, prompting users to consult their healthcare providers or monitor their conditions more closely. As stated by Apple, the process involves using the existing optical heart rate sensor to continuously assess how blood vessels respond to heartbeats over a 30-day timeframe. If elevated blood pressure is detected, users will receive an alert to record their blood pressure with a compatible cuff and to discuss findings with their doctor.

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In essence, while precise measurements may not be provided, the feature serves as an alert for potential risks. Considering the fact that high blood pressure often remains undetected until serious complications arise, Apple aims for these notifications to play a pivotal role in prevention efforts.

There is a belief that this capability could make a genuine impact. Recently, a significant health event occurred in a family when heart surgery was necessitated due to AFib. The individual’s Apple Watch Series 10 was crucial in identifying and monitoring the condition prior to treatment. Regular blood pressure monitoring has since become a part of their healthcare routine, and the introduction of this feature is eagerly anticipated for its added value.

Apple has confirmed that the hypertension notifications were developed from data collected from over 100,000 participants during trials and further validated with information from an additional 2,000 patients. While individual results may vary, this level of testing is encouraging, even if warnings are issued that the feature may not detect every instance of hypertension. This announcement follows the FDA’s prior rejection of a similar feature by Whoop, which claimed to offer more extensive data than Apple’s iteration.

To explore the hypertension notifications for your own Apple Watch, no immediate action is necessary. Ensure that your device is one of the compatible models, and allow it to update to watchOS 26 on Monday. Following this, wear the watch consistently over the next month to facilitate effective data collection.