Apple Watch Hypertension Alerts May Miss Some Cases, Study Finds

Apple’s Apple Watch hypertension notification feature may fail to detect some cases across demographic groups, according to research published in JAMA. The feature received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in September and is designed to notify users of patterns suggesting possible high blood pressure, but it is not intended to diagnose hypertension.

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and University of Utah applied the device’s performance data to U.S. population statistics. They estimated that 69% of people receiving an alert have hypertension, while 79% without an alert do not. However, effectiveness varied by age, race and ethnicity.

Among adults aged 60 and older, an alert increased the probability of hypertension from 45% to 81%, yet 34% without alerts could still have undiagnosed hypertension. The authors warned that false reassurance may delay diagnosis and emphasized that cuff-based blood pressure monitoring remains essential.

27-02-2026