Apple Watch Gains FDA Approval for Hypertension Detection Feature
Apple will introduce a hypertension detection feature on its smartwatch next week, following clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Bloomberg News reported on Thursday.
Apple Expands Health Monitoring Capabilities
The new feature builds on growing focus on health technology. It was first previewed during the company’s September 9 event, where Apple also unveiled its latest iPhone lineup, including the slimmer iPhone Air, and a refreshed Apple Watch range with built-in blood pressure monitoring capabilities.
The hypertension tool will not diagnose every case of high blood pressure but could alert about one million people to potential concerns, according to Apple.
How the Feature Works
The technology uses the smartwatch’s optical heart sensor to measure how a wearer’s blood vessels respond to heartbeats. Data will be collected over a 30-day period to detect patterns that may indicate hypertension.
Once rolled out, the feature will be available in 150 countries, offering the Watch users a new way to monitor their cardiovascular health.
Supported Apple Watch Models
According to Bloomberg, the hypertension detection feature will be included in the Watch Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, and the premium Ultra 2 and Ultra 3 models.
FDA has yet to issue official statements in response to requests for comment.
This addition strengthens Apple’s position in the digital health market, where wearables are increasingly being used to track and prevent chronic illnesses.
with inputs from Reuters