Apple Watch's High Blood Pressure Notifications Approved in Canada

The new Hypertension Notifications feature on select Apple Watch models was recently licensed by Health Canada, according to the blog iPhone in Canada.

Hypertension Notifications Feature
The feature is already available in more than 150 countries and regions, including the U.S. and many European countries, but it has yet to launch in Canada. That should soon change, now that the feature has received a license from Health Canada.

Hypertension Notifications are available on the Apple Watch Series 9 and later, as well as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later, with watchOS 26 installed.

The feature can alert users if signs of chronic hypertension (high blood pressure) are detected, according to Apple. Based on data from the Apple Watch's optical heart sensor, the feature can analyze how a user's blood vessels respond to the beats of the heart. The algorithm works passively in the background, reviewing data over 30-day periods, and users are notified if consistent signs of hypertension are detected.

Apple:

The feature works passively in the background during waking hours, analyzing data over discrete 30-day intervals to detect signs of hypertension. It does not require calibration, it does not measure blood pressure directly, and does not surface a blood pressure reading to users. Instead, the Hypertension Notification Feature notifies users if optical heart sensor data shows signs of hypertension after 30 days.

Apple said the feature underwent "rigorous scientific validation," as outlined in a 12-page document. According to the company, it was developed with advanced machine learning and training data from multiple studies totaling more than 100,000 participants, and its performance was then validated in a clinical study of more than 2,000 participants.

Apple says the feature is "not intended for use by people under 22 years old, those who have been previously diagnosed with hypertension, or during pregnancy."

Related Forum: Apple Watch

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Top Rated Comments

SiliconKnight Avatar
13 weeks ago
its a good day for Canada therefore the world.

Happy Truth & Reconciliation days fellow hosers.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mknelson Avatar
13 weeks ago
Now, if only the provinces would allow the Airpods pro hearing aid and test functions.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Astuces iOS Avatar
13 weeks ago
O Canada! Our home and native land!…
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
racerhomie Avatar
13 weeks ago
More people across the world staying more healthy and fit! That’s Apple Watch
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IAmStumped Avatar
13 weeks ago
From the iPhone in Canada blog:
"With this approval, Apple Watch owners in Canada may soon be able to turn on the feature through the Health app on their iPhone, once a software update is pushed by Apple."
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rexbinary Avatar
13 weeks ago
Apple Watch Alert: Hey hoser, your blood pressue is high.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)