Apple continues to position its smartwatch lineup as more than just a gadget, but also as a valuable health companion. The company’s latest models, Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, will include a hypertension (high blood pressure) alert system. Since such a feature requires regulatory approval, Apple had to obtain clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That approval has now been officially granted.
Available in Over 150 Countries
Apple announced that the hypertension notifications will roll out next week in over 150 countries and regions, including the United States, the European Union, Hong Kong, and New Zealand. While the feature is not yet listed on Apple Turkey’s official product page, this does not mean it will remain unavailable. A similar situation occurred with the sleep apnea notifications, which became accessible in Turkey after an initial delay.
Older Models Will Also Benefit
The new functionality won’t be exclusive to the latest devices. With the release of watchOS 26 on September 15, models such as the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 will also gain access to hypertension notifications.
How Do the Hypertension Alerts Work?
The Apple Watch leverages its optical heart sensor to monitor vascular responses over a 30-day period. If signs of chronic hypertension are detected, users receive a notification. According to Apple, approximately 1.3 billion adults worldwide live with high blood pressure, yet many remain undiagnosed due to the lack of clear symptoms.
The technology was developed using machine learning algorithms trained on data from more than 100,000 participants, and its accuracy was validated through clinical trials involving over 2,000 individuals. Apple estimates that in its first year alone, the feature will notify over 1 million users with undiagnosed hypertension. Once alerted, users are encouraged to monitor their blood pressure for seven days with a third-party cuff device and share the results with their healthcare provider.
This advancement highlights how wearable technology is evolving from fitness tracking tools into instruments that can play a vital role in the early detection of serious medical conditions.