Australia Approves Apple Watch's Hypertension Notifications

Australia has granted approval for Apple to enable its Apple Watch hypertension notification feature in the country, Information Age reports.

apple watch hypertension alerts
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia's medical device regulator, has approved Apple's hypertension notification feature for use on Apple Watch, formally listing the software as a medical device on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods earlier this month.

Apple announced hypertension detection in September. The feature is designed to identify patterns associated with elevated blood pressure rather than directly measuring blood pressure itself. It uses data collected by the optical heart sensor on the back of supported Apple Watch models to analyze how blood vessels respond to heartbeats over rolling 30 day periods. If the system detects consistent indicators associated with possible hypertension, the user receives a notification advising follow-up using conventional blood pressure measurement methods.

The system is intended for adults aged 22 and older who are not pregnant and who have not previously been diagnosed with hypertension. It requires an Apple Watch Series 9 or later or an Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later running watchOS 26, paired with an iPhone 11 or later running the latest version of iOS.

Apple can now legally activate the feature for Australian users, although the company has not yet confirmed when it will become available. In previous cases involving regulated health features, Apple has enabled functionality either through a subsequent software update or by remotely activating the feature once regulatory clearance has been obtained. Hypertension notifications have already rolled out in more than 150 countries.

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Top Rated Comments

Skyrings Avatar
7 weeks ago

Pretty useless. I got hyper tension and it never notified me
It detects change in blood pressure over time, rather than measuring the pressure itself. If you have high but stable blood pressure, it won’t detect anything.

You can google articles about how it actually works. I’m a critical care doctor who uses various technologies to measure BP daily, and it’s actually quite impressive what it can do with so little.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mikeske Avatar
7 weeks ago

It detects change in blood pressure over time, rather than measuring the pressure itself. If you have high but stable blood pressure, it won’t detect anything.

You can google articles about how it actually works. I’m a critical care doctor who uses various technologies to measure BP daily, and it’s actually quite impressive what it can do with so little.
I am one of those that actually was notified after thirty days that I had potentially elevated blood pressure I have an electronic blood pressure cuff and took readings for a week readings were average 175/90 heart rate of 90+ and when I was notified I made an appointment with my doctor. I took the cuff I have and the notated readings with me to the doctor and it was confirmed and I mow have BP meds I take. Recent visit with my doctor was 123/71 heart rate was 69. It can be a lifesaver as having high blood pressure is the silent killer.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
robfoll Avatar
6 weeks ago
"Hypertension notifications have already rolled out in more than 150 countries" Why is The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia's medical device regulator SO SLOW! Fully approved by multiple global regulatory bodies but Australian exceptionalism demands that our own bureaucrats have a job delaying something postive and absurdly simple.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tallPete Avatar
7 weeks ago
It turned on for me yesterday. Apple have flicked the switch - iPhone 17 Pro with Watch 11 in Australia.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Boeingfan Avatar
7 weeks ago
Very good! Lovely to see some useful added to the list.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Unregistered 4U Avatar
7 weeks ago

Very good! Lovely to see some useful added to the list.
Only a matter of days before they kick off a lawsuit because the feature they just approved is anti-competitive or something.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)