The Apple Watch’s new hypertension upgrade lands in watchOS 26 today – here’s why it’s a big deal and which models are compatible

2 days ago 14

An Apple Watch displaying a hypertension alert in watchOS 26.

(Image credit: Future / Apple)

Apple’s watchOS 26 update is available to install today
It brings a new feature that can detect hypertension
This alerts you if your watch thinks you have chronic high blood pressure

Apple’s watchOS 26 update launches today, and it’s jam-packed with new features, from a fresh Liquid Glass design and AI-powered Workout Buddy to Live Translation and Smart Stack hints. One feature, though, could make a huge difference to your ongoing health.

Hypertension alerts keep a vigilant watch for signs of chronic high blood pressure, letting you know as soon as any deviations from the norm are detected, so that you can take action by visiting a doctor. It does this by using data from the Apple Watch’s optical heart sensor, reviewing data over a 30-day period to look out for consistent signs of high blood pressure.

That’s a big deal because hypertension is a serious – and leading – risk factor for health problems like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease, and these affect 1.3 billion people worldwide. Part of the problem is that hypertension often presents no symptoms, which means it can easily be missed until something drastic happens.

That’s why watchOS 26’s hypertension alerts have the potential to make such a big difference. If they prove to be accurate, they could get people the help they need – and perhaps even save lives. In fact, Apple believes up to one million people could receive the alerts in the feature’s first year. It recently received FDA approval, and Apple says it will be available in over 150 countries.

Compatible Apple Watch models

Apple Watch Ultra 3 with hypertension detection

You probably want to know which Apple Watch models are compatible with hypertension alerts. The long and short of it is that you’ll need a relatively recent Apple Watch to take advantage.

Specifically, you’ll need to have watchOS 26 installed on your device. As well as that, Apple says the alerts require an Apple Watch Series 9 or later, or an Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later. The feature does not appear to work with any Apple Watch SE models.

If you have a compatible device, you’ll be able to get started as soon as you have downloaded and installed watchOS 26. You don’t need to set the feature up, as it works passively and automatically in the background. With any luck, you’ll never need its assistance – but it’s good to know it’s there if you do.

Alex Blake has been fooling around with computers since the early 1990s, and since that time he's learned a thing or two about tech. No more than two things, though. That's all his brain can hold. As well as TechRadar, Alex writes for iMore, Digital Trends and Creative Bloq, among others. He was previously commissioning editor at MacFormat magazine. That means he mostly covers the world of Apple and its latest products, but also Windows, computer peripherals, mobile apps, and much more beyond. When not writing, you can find him hiking the English countryside and gaming on his PC.

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