Apple Watch expands a potentially life-saving feature to millions more users
The latest Apple Watch update brings hypertension notifications to Canada, joining over 150 countries where the feature can now alert users to potential signs of high blood pressure.
Apple Watch users in Canada can now receive hypertension notifications as the feature expands. The newer health-focused feature by Apple is already available in more than 150 countries in the world, with the latest addition being Canada.
Hypertension notifications on Apple Watch expand to users in Canada
Now, if you have an Apple Watch Series 9 or later, or an Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later, you can enable Hypertension notifications in the Health app. Unfortunately, the Apple Watch SE models cannot detect hypertension, so for these timepieces, the feature is unavailable.
With this expansion, hypertension notifications on supported Apple Watches are now available in more than 150 countries.
Image Credit - Apple
Apple Watch and hypertension notifications
Hypertension is a serious condition and can elevate the risk for heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease. According to Apple, 1.3 billion adults are affected by the condition globally, and yet it's often under-detected and frequently has no symptoms.
Hypertension notifications on the Apple Watch work by using data from the optical heart sensor to track how blood vessels respond to each heartbeat. This feature is designed to run in the background, reviewing 30 days of data to detect signs of high blood pressure.
Do you rely on your smartwatch for health tracking?
Absolutely — it's part of my daily routine
25%
Sometimes, but I don't trust it completely
50%
Rarely — I prefer traditional checkups
25%
Not at all — I think it's just a gimmick
0%
If signs of high blood pressure persist, users will receive alerts about potential hypertension. These notifications should help you take action early by either adjusting your habits or even seeking treatment.
How to enable hypertension notifications
You can enable hypertension notifications from My Watch on the Apple Watch app (on the iPhone). These are not on by default:
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone
Go to My Watch, then Passcode
Scroll down and enable (if disabled) Wrist Detection
Go to the Health app on your iPhone
Tap on your profile icon at the top right
Go to Features, then Health Checklist
Tap Hypertension Notifications
You can use this feature if you're at least 22 years old and if you haven't previously been diagnosed with hypertension. In the meantime, it's important to note that the Apple Watch cannot detect hypertension during pregnancy.
It's also worth mentioning that this feature isn't blood pressure monitoring, and it's not an active diagnostic tool.
Health features on smartwatches are just to alert you, not diagnose you
At the end of the day, it's important to remember that even though features like hypertension notifications can be incredibly helpful, your Apple Watch isn't a medical device. That can be said about other smartwatches as well, like Galaxy Watches and Pixel Watches, which also aren't designed to be medical devices.
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Think of it as an early warning system – something that nudges you to pay attention, not something that gives you a diagnosis or is 100% accurate. It's there to spot trends, not to replace professional judgment.
It's great that Apple keeps adding tools to make you more aware of your health, but real medical insight still comes from doctors, not from your wrist. These features can guide you toward better habits or remind you to check in with a healthcare professional – but they should always be seen as companions to medical advice, not substitutes for it.
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Izzy, a tech enthusiast and a key part of the PhoneArena team, specializes in delivering the latest mobile tech news and finding the best tech deals. Her interests extend to cybersecurity, phone design innovations, and camera capabilities. Outside her professional life, Izzy, a literature master's degree holder, enjoys reading, painting, and learning languages. She's also a personal growth advocate, believing in the power of experience and gratitude. Whether it's walking her Chihuahua or singing her heart out, Izzy embraces life with passion and curiosity.
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