April 5th, 2026
In September 2025, US Food and Drug Administration approved the Apple watch’s hypertension feature for non pregnant adults above the age of 22. It uses an optimal sensor that collected photplethysmography (PPG) data during wake hours over 30 day intervals. Based on this, it analyzes that data with an algorithm and alerts the user if hypertension is suspected. The alert will then encourage users to monitor BP at home for ideally 7 days and consult their doctors for next steps.
So how accurate is this?
Based on the clinical study which involved more than 2000 participants, it detected 214 out of 585 people with BP of 130/80 mm Hg or higher. This is sensitivity ratio of 41.2% and specificity ratio of 92.3%. See details of the study here.
So what does this mean?
The device is not highly accurate in diagnosing hypertension in general population. But it does alert individuals who may never had got this evaluated by getting their regular preventative screening tests. On one hand, it alerts patients who really need to get further treatment plan through their doctors, while on the other, it can raise unnecessary anxiety among individuals who may not have Hypertension but a false alert.
The jury remains out in terms of how to adapt this feature in the society. But as technology advances, we are bound to see more and more of these features which can help detect health conditions sooner in individuals while continuing with their regular lifestyle. This has tremendous application in the future, while we wait for higher accuracy.
– By Preyanshu Parekh, DO
Family Medicine Physician
Shine Medical Center
Hoffman Estates, IL