Apple first teased its hypertension detection feature last September, and it has finally landed in Malaysia for anyone rocking an Apple Watch Series 9, an Ultra 2, or something newer.
It is a handy addition that aims to give users a heads-up if their heart is showing signs of chronic high blood pressure. Rather than requiring constant manual checks, the watch uses its built-in optical heart sensor to analyse how your blood vessels react to every beat.
A dedicated algorithm quietly reviews your data over a thirty-day window, looking for patterns. If it spots consistent signs of hypertension, it will send a notification. The idea is to provide enough insight so you can start thinking about small behavioural changes or, more importantly, have a chat with a medical professional.
If you do get a notification, Apple suggests taking it slow and monitoring your blood pressure properly for a week using a standard third-party cuff. This gives you a solid set of data to show your GP during your next visit. It is a sensible approach that aligns with global health guidelines for managing high blood pressure, which is a massive issue affecting over a billion people worldwide.
The tech isn’t just a gimmick either, as it is based on some serious scientific validation. Apple used machine learning and data from studies involving over one hundred thousand participants to get the accuracy right. While it might not catch every single instance of hypertension, the goal is to help over a million people globally discover they have high blood pressure within its first year.
There are a few caveats to keep in mind before you dive in. The feature isn’t designed for people under 22 years old, those who have already been diagnosed with hypertension, or anyone who is currently pregnant. If you fit the criteria and want to get started, you can set everything up within the Health app on your iPhone and then manage the specifics through the Apple Watch app.