Apple Secures FDA Approval for Hypertension Detection on Apple Watch

Apple has achieved a significant milestone in digital health with FDA clearance for its hypertension detection system on select Apple Watch models. The feature, leveraging machine learning and data from 100,000+ participants, analyzes vascular response to heartbeats over 30 days to identify chronic high blood pressure. Launching next week across 150 markets including the U.S. and EU, this move intensifies Apple's healthcare push amid competition from wearable rivals.

The technology debuted alongside Apple's September hardware refresh, which included the ultrathin iPhone Air and updated AirPods. Unlike traditional spot-check measurements, Apple's system provides continuous monitoring through the Watch's optical heart sensor, alerting users to consult physicians when abnormalities are detected.