Overview

• Apple activated Hypertension Notifications on compatible models as watchOS 26 and iOS 26 roll out, following FDA clearance last week.
• The feature passively analyzes photoplethysmography signals over rolling 30-day periods and sends an alert when patterns suggest chronic hypertension.
• It is rolling out in more than 150 countries and regions, including the U.S., EU, Hong Kong, and New Zealand, with Canada not yet supported, and works on Apple Watch Series 9 and later and Ultra 2 and later, including the new Series 11 and Ultra 3.
• Apple says the algorithm was trained on data from over 100,000 participants and validated in a study of more than 2,000, achieving specificity above 92% with stronger sensitivity for Stage 2 hypertension.
• The feature is not intended for users under 22, those already diagnosed with hypertension, or during pregnancy, and doctors advise confirming alerts with a validated cuff and continuing regular medical care.