Can the Apple Watch measure blood pressure?

Not everyone needs to measure their blood pressure regularly, but for those individuals with conditions such as hypertension, measuring blood pressure at home is crucial to managing health concerns. Self-monitoring can help with early diagnosis, tracking treatments, cutting costs, and more. Find out if the Apple Watch can measure blood pressure.

Read more: Everything you need to know about Apple’s wearables

Can I track blood pressure with an Apple Watch?

The short answer is not natively. As of now, an Apple Watch can not measure users’ blood pressure. The device does not feature the necessary cuff mechanism for measuring blood pressure in a manner similar to that of a doctor’s visit. There have been rumors that the company is working on a sensor that will eventually offer noninvasive blood pressure monitoring, but Apple is still working on the feature’s accuracy.

That said, you can keep track of your blood pressure data on your Apple Watch by pairing the device to a blood pressure monitor. A number of devices compatible with Apple Health allow users to sync their data to the Apple platform. This keeps all your health and fitness stats in one place.

How to track blood pressure with your Apple Watch

The best way to track your blood pressure with your Apple Watch is by using a blood pressure monitor compatible with Apple Health. One top option is the Withings BPM Connect, which can even be purchased from the Apple store. In addition to displaying results on the device itself, this Wi-Fi-enabled monitor automatically uploads your measurements to its own app. The Health Mate app then syncs with Apple Health. The device is easy to use, clinically validated, and FDA-cleared.

Another device highly rated for accuracy is the Omron Evolv. Like the Withings device, the Evolv displays results on the device, uploads them to its own app, and automatically syncs the data with Apple Health. The half-pound monitor is very portable and compatible with both Apple Health and Amazon Alexa.

There are plenty more devices available as well. If you do not own or want to purchase a monitor that can sync with Apple Health, you can also manually enter your blood pressure measurements in the app.

• Open the Health app and tap the Browse tab.
• In the search bar, type blood pressure and tap Blood Pressure when it appears.
• Tap Add Data, then manually enter your measurements.

Read more: Common Apple Watch problems and solutions