Khaberni - Apple has announced the expansion of its high blood pressure alert feature in its smartwatches to include its users in Canada.
The feature has now become available in over 150 countries around the world, in a move that highlights its increasing commitment to digital health, according to a report published by PhoneArena.
This step is part of the company's efforts to enhance the preventative role of its smartwatches, turning them into more than just technological tools, but proactive means of health monitoring and timely life-saving.
Apple watches supported by the feature
The new feature has become available on Apple Watch Series 9 and later, as well as Apple Watch Ultra 2, while Apple Watch SE is excluded due to its lack of the necessary sensors for reading blood pressure indicators.
The technology relies on the heart's optical sensor present in the watch, which tracks the vascular response to each pulse, operating in the background continuously for 30 days to analyze the user's biometric patterns, then sends an immediate alert upon detecting concerning indicators of potential high blood pressure.
How does the "Blood Pressure Alerts" feature work on Apple watches?
Once activated, the watch starts collecting and analyzing the user's vital data non-stop.
If the system notices any abnormal patterns in blood flow or vessel response, the watch sends an immediate notification suggesting the user to check their health status or consult a doctor.
Apple believes this technology represents a significant advancement in health monitoring, especially as high blood pressure is one of the most common and dangerous diseases in the world, affecting more than 1.3 billion people, and is often detected late due to the absence of symptoms in its early stages.
You can activate the "Blood Pressure Alerts" feature through the watch app on the iPhone following these steps:
Open the Apple Watch app.
Navigate to the My Watch section and select Passcode.
Ensure the Wrist Detection feature is enabled.
Open the Health app on your phone.
Tap on your profile picture then select Health Checklist.
Activate the Hypertension Notifications option.
The feature is available for individuals aged 22 years and older, provided they are not previously diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Apple emphasizes that the watch does not measure blood pressure directly, and cannot be used as a diagnostic tool or a substitute for a doctor, but it represents an early warning system that can alert the user to significant changes warranting medical follow-up.
The company also notes that the feature does not operate during pregnancy, as it is not accurate in those cases.
Health experts see these technologies as a revolution in the concept of health prevention, as they help users proactively monitor their condition, and prompt them to make early medical decisions before any problem worsens.
However, despite this, the experts stress that full reliance on smart devices is not a substitute for medical examination, but they should be seen as helpful tools that complement and support the doctor's efforts.
