Starting today, Apple Watch users in India can receive hypertension alerts, a feature designed to notify users if signs of chronic high blood pressure are detected.
Hypertension, a leading risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease, affects an estimated 1.3 billion adults globally. The condition often goes undiagnosed, as it can be symptomless, is easily missed during routine clinical visits, and many people do not see a doctor regularly.
The new Apple Watch feature uses the device’s optical heart sensor to monitor how blood vessels respond to each heartbeat. Running passively in the background, the algorithm reviews data over 30-day periods and alerts users if consistent signs of hypertension appear. By providing these insights, users can make timely lifestyle changes or seek treatment to reduce the risk of serious long-term health issues.
Apple developed hypertension notifications using advanced machine learning and data from multiple studies involving over 100,000 participants. The feature was further validated in a clinical study with more than 2,000 participants. While it may not detect all cases, Apple expects the feature to identify over 1 million people with undiagnosed hypertension within its first year.
“Hypertension is one of the most widespread yet underdiagnosed health conditions. Integrating detection into a device people wear daily will expand access for early identification and help users have more informed conversations with their doctors,” said Professor Dorairaj Prabhakaran, executive director of the Centre for Chronic Disease Control and president-elect of the World Heart Federation.
Users who receive a hypertension notification are advised to monitor their blood pressure for seven days with a third-party cuff and share the readings with their healthcare provider, in line with American Heart Association guidelines for hypertension management.
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