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Apple Activates Hypertension Notifications on Apple Watch in Canada

The passive screening feature uses sensor trends to flag possible hypertension, routing Canadians to confirm results with a cuff through the Health app.

Overview

  • Availability begins today in Canada for eligible Apple Watch models running watchOS 26, with setup handled in the iPhone Health app.
  • Supported devices include Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3, and the feature is not offered on any Apple Watch SE models.
  • The tool analyzes optical heart‑sensor data over rolling 30‑day periods to detect consistent signs of chronic high blood pressure, without calibration or displaying a blood pressure number.
  • If flagged, users are prompted to log seven days of cuff measurements in the Health app and to consult a clinician for evaluation.
  • Apple cites training data spanning more than 100,000 participants and clinical validation in over 2,000 people, with the Canada launch following earlier rollouts in the U.S. and 150+ regions after regulatory clearance.