Apple just got FDA clearance for Hypertension Detection - does your watch support it?

"The Hypertension feature offers a blood pressure log for tracking diastolic readings. The log can be exported into a PDF to send to a doctor. It also includes reminders to log blood pressure, and classifications based on guidelines from the American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology. In developing the feature, Apple used data from more than 100,000 study participants to understand hypertension's presence."

"Apple Watch owners can begin using the feature in more than 150 countries starting next week. The feature is not only available on Apple's latest lineup of smartwatches, the Series 11 and Ultra 3 it announced Tuesday. Apple Watch Series 9 or later, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later, can access the feature through Apple's latest software, WatchOS 26. The feature skips the affordable SE 2 and SE 3 smartwatches."

Possible Hypertension Detection received FDA clearance and provides a hypertension presence rating rather than continuous blood pressure monitoring. The feature analyzes 30 days of PPG-derived blood volume measurements from the watch to determine whether readings fall above or below a hypertension threshold. Users flagged as having possible hypertension are advised to consult a doctor, who may recommend daily cuff-based readings that can be logged in the feature. The Hypertension feature logs diastolic readings, exports PDFs for clinicians, includes logging reminders, and applies classifications aligned with American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Apple used data from over 100,000 study participants. Availability spans more than 150 countries and requires Apple Watch Series 9 or later, Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later, or the newest Series 11 and Ultra 3 with WatchOS 26; SE 2 and SE 3 are excluded.

Read at ZDNET