The Apple Watch High Blood Pressure Feature: What You Need to Know

Table of Contents:

1. What is high blood pressure?
   
   
2. Recognising irregularities and signs of high blood pressure with the Apple Watch
   
   
3. Apple Watch vs. Blood Pressure Monitor – who can do what?
   
   
4. What is important when measuring blood pressure?
   
   
5. Apple Watch and high blood pressure: What should you do if you receive an alert?

What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure refers to the pressure with which blood flows through our vessels. It is responsible for supplying the brain, and all other organs and tissues with oxygen and nutrients. The heart muscle pumps blood through the body with a certain pressure – when it beats, the pressure briefly rises. Between beats, it relaxes, and the pressure falls again. Therefore, two values are always determined during blood pressure measurement: the systolic (upper) value, which shows the highest pressure in the vessel when the heart is pumping, and the diastolic (lower) value, which indicates the lower pressure when the heart relaxes again. Both are measured in mmHg (millimetres of mercury column). 

In healthy people, the vessels are elastic and the heart works in a steady rhythm. However, in the case of high blood pressure – also known as hypertension – the vascular system changes. On the one hand, the heart muscle thickens because it has to work harder, and on the other hand, the blood vessels lose elasticity, making them more susceptible to damage. 

Generally, high blood pressure is considered when the systolic value is above 140 mmHg and the diastolic value is above 90 mmHg. The challenge is that high blood pressure is often not immediately noticed but is an important risk factor for serious conditions such as heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. 

High blood pressure can have many different causes, but in many cases, an unhealthy lifestyle is the cause. To learn more about the causes, symptoms, and consequences, see our other guides on blood pressure.

Recognising irregularities and signs of high blood pressure with the Apple Watch

With the update to iOS 26 and WatchOS 26, Apple introduced a new high blood pressure alert health feature. The Apple Watch uses its optical sensor to collect data such as heart rate over long periods. An algorithm then analyses these values and detects patterns that may indicate high blood pressure. The Apple Watch does not measure systolic or diastolic blood pressure, and does not replace a traditional blood pressure measurement but serves as an early warning tool. 

If you receive a notification, it means your Apple Watch has detected unusual patterns that may indicate high blood pressure. You are then prompted to keep a blood pressure diary with a blood pressure monitor and discuss the results with your doctor.

Apple Watch vs. Blood Pressure Monitor – who can do what?

Many wonder is my Apple Watch enough, or do I need a traditional blood pressure monitor? The answer depends on what information you need. If it's about initial indications of possible changes, the Apple Watch can help. For recording specific blood pressure values, a traditional monitor is useful – especially if you want to document your values regularly or have them medically evaluated.

Apple Watch

The Apple Watch analyses trends and possible indications of high blood pressure to give its wearer early signals.

• The watch does not provide traditional blood pressure readings but indications of possible irregularities.
  
  
• You are advised that it would be sensible to have your blood pressure examined more closely.
  
  
• The Apple Health app can be connected to blood pressure monitors or third-party platforms to collect blood pressure data in the app. 

The Apple Watch can be part of a comprehensive health monitoring system – for recording specific blood pressure values, a traditional blood pressure monitor is recommended.

Advantages of Beurer Blood Pressure Monitors

If you want to regularly and accurately document your blood pressure, a blood pressure monitor is the right solution. Beurer blood pressure monitors are reliable, easy to use, and great when you’re on the go. They are available specifically for upper arm measurement and wrist measurement. Most of our devices also allow convenient data transfer via Bluetooth^® or Scan & Save to Beurer’s HealthManager Pro app. Our app consolidates your data and can forward it to other health apps like the Apple Health app. If necessary, you can also easily share your measurements with your doctor via the HealthManager Pro app.

But that's not all: Thanks to our clinically validated measuring accuracy, you can rely on precise results. Another special feature of our blood pressure monitors is our rest indicator. This technology was developed for Beurer by FIMT Asperg to ensure precise blood pressure measurements. If you speak or move during the measurement, the results can be distorted. Psychological stress or external disturbances can also affect the measurement results. The rest indicator technology records the time intervals of the pulse beats and evaluates the course of the pulse wave during the measurement. This way, it can be determined whether you are in an appropriate state of rest. After the measurement, a symbol informs you whether your body was in sufficient mental and physical rest. Beurer's rest indicator technology largely contributes to the accuracy of the results without extending the measurement time.

What is important when measuring blood pressure?

Blood pressure is a necessary indicator of the health of our cardiovascular system. Especially with persistently high values, i.e. hypertension, it can lead to serious consequences such as heart attack or stroke. Therefore, it is all the more important to measure blood pressure regularly. There are a few rules that can help you obtain accurate and comparable values.

Regularity and timing

To ensure blood pressure values are comparable, be sure to measure blood pressure at the same time each day. It’s best to measure twice daily – in the morning after getting up and in the evening. This way, changes can be detected more easily.

Rest and relaxation

To obtain an accurate measurement, do not eat, drink, or smoke for at least 30 minutes before the measurement. Make sure your body has come to rest before you start measuring your blood pressure. Without a rest phase, the measured value may deviate from the actual resting blood pressure, as stress, excitement, or physical activities can distort the values.

In this case, our rest indicator can also help. It shows whether you were in sufficient mental and physical rest during the measurement.

The correct position 

Your posture also plays an important role in the measurement. Make sure to sit comfortably and place your feet firmly on the ground. If you are using an upper arm monitor, place the cuff at heart level. Relax your hands and avoid clenching a fist. Also, make sure the cuff is sitting correctly and does not slip during the measurement.

Do not speak 

During the blood pressure measurement, it is important not to speak and to remain completely still. Even small movements or conversations can distort your values.

Which arm should you use to measure your blood pressure?

In principle, you can measure blood pressure on either arm. Small deviations are normal providing the values do not differ by more than 10 mmHg.

How to interpret the values?

After the measurement, the blood pressure monitor will show you two values: the systolic and the diastolic blood pressure. The systolic blood pressure measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart muscle contracts. An average value is below 120 mmHg. The diastolic blood pressure indicates the pressure when the heart relaxes between beats. The optimal value should be below 80 mmHg. Keep in mind that these values are general guidelines. Your personal ideal value may vary depending on age, gender, or health situation.

Blood pressure measurement with the Apple Watch

To receive a reliable alert from the Apple Watch, make sure it is positioned correctly on your wrist. It should be above the wrist bone and fit tightly so that it cannot slip.

Apple Watch and high blood pressure: What should you do if you receive an alert?

The Apple Watch can be a practical helper when it comes to high blood pressure, especially in terms of early detection. Take the notification seriously but stay calm and proceed systematically. 

The Apple Health app gives you initial recommendations for a high blood pressure notification, such as a doctor's visit to check the values. Additionally, it is advisable to measure your blood pressure yourself for a week. Use Beurer blood pressure monitors for this and transfer the values to our HealthManager Pro app. Make sure to measure at the same time each day. 

Then share your measurement values with your doctor after seven days of results. Further examinations can then be carried out there, and the existing measurements can be professionally evaluated. Only a medical examination and your doctor can reliably determine whether hypertension is present.