Last year, Apple announced the integration of high blood pressure detection in its latest Apple Watch models. However, Australian users needed the green light from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for this feature to become available.

Now that the TGA has granted approval, a new software update will activate this hypertension detection capability for users of the Apple Watch Series 9 and newer, as well as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and subsequent models.

To obtain these readings, users must manually measure their blood pressure using a cuff and then record the data in the Apple Health app. This enables individuals to maintain a log of their readings for healthcare professionals to review and analyze.

While several devices claim to measure blood pressure, only a few have received TGA approval in Australia, making this a notable development for Apple Watch users.

Certain Samsung Galaxy Watch models also offer blood pressure monitoring, but they require initial calibration with a manual blood pressure cuff to ensure accurate ongoing tracking.

Meanwhile, Apple’s approach seems targeted as bringing awareness to the many who suffer without any knowledge of the issue.

This is a big step forward in health, as hypertension is the leading modifiable risk factor for heart attack, stroke and kidney disease.

“Hypertension awareness in Australia is far too low, so we welcome new technologies that advise people that they might have hypertension and should seek confirmation from their doctor,” Professor Garry Jennings, chief medical advisor at the Australian Heart Foundation, said.

“Despite high blood pressure causing a greater risk of heart attack and stroke, only about a third of adults with hypertension are aware of it and have their blood pressure lowered to satisfactory levels.”

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