FDA Clears Apple Watch for High Blood Pressure Detection
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Published: October 27, 2023 | By Rachel Kim
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized Apple to implement a new feature enabling high blood pressure detection on certain Apple Watch models,the agency announced Friday evening.
Feature Unveiled at September Event
Apple initially previewed the blood pressure monitoring capability during its product event on September 9th, alongside the launch of its latest iPhone lineup.
The hypertension notification feature will be available on the Apple Watch Series 9,Series 10,and Series 11,as well as the high-end Ultra 2 and Ultra 3 models. Apple anticipates rolling out the update before the end of September.
How the Technology Functions
This innovative feature will be deployed across 150 countries and regions, including the United States and the European Union. It leverages the Apple watch’s optical heart sensor to analyze the subtle changes in blood vessels as the heart beats.
The algorithm operates passively, analyzing data collected over a 30-day period. Users will receive notifications if the system detects signs of consistently elevated blood pressure, according to Apple.
Not a Thorough Diagnostic Tool
apple clarifies that this functionality is not intended to diagnose all instances of hypertension. Though, the company estimates the feature could perhaps alert approximately one million users to seek medical attention.
Expected Launch Next Week
According to a report from Bloomberg News, Apple is planning to launch the blood pressure detection feature on its connected watches as early as next week. Apple declined to comment on the Bloomberg report when contacted by Reuters.
Report by Gnanehwar Rajan and Mrinmay Dey in Bangalore; edition by Sumana Nandy, Rashmi Aich and Himani Sarkar
This is a significant step forward in preventative health technology. We’re excited to see how this feature impacts the well-being of Apple Watch users.
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