Does the Apple Watch track blood pressure?
Over the past few years, the Apple watch has developed rapidly to the extent that it has become a device that keeps track of our health. From heart rate to fitness to sleep, the Apple Watch keeps track of them. Blood pressure is also an important health factor, affecting millions of people daily. This brings up the question of how the Apple watch is used. Does the Apple watch track blood pressure?
This article will answer your questions. So keep reading to find out.
Does my Apple Watch track blood pressure?
Yes, the Apple Watch can track your blood pressure. For your Apple Watch to track your blood pressure, you have to pair it with a third-party blood monitoring device.
How to track your blood pressure with an Apple Watch?
To track your blood pressure with an Apple Watch, it has to be paired with a blood pressure monitoring cuff that gives accurate readings and helps avoid blood pressure spikes. The blood pressure monitoring device keeps your BPM measurement records. This enables you to create a precise baseline for your blood pressure in which you can assess when and why your blood pressure goes up or down at different times.
Note: Not all blood monitoring devices have an app on the Apple Watch. So ensure to check which is available for the Apple Watch before purchasing it.
How does blood pressure monitoring work?
Once your Apple Watch is connected to the third-party device, the device is wrapped around your upper arm. It then inflates the device to stop the blood flow and deflates it while it listens to any change in the arteries. This method gives a medically accurate blood pressure reading that Health specialists can validate.
How to start a blood pressure measurement with an Apple Watch?
As said earlier, there are different blood pressure measurement devices with which you can connect your Apple Watch to. This means different ways to start the blood pressure measurement. Whichever BPM device you buy, ensure you follow the instructions to connect to the Apple watch and start the measurement.
Devices that work with Apple Watch in tracking blood pressure
Different devices work with your Apple watch to monitor your blood pressure. However, we will mention a few with a good rating.
· QardioArm Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor
This device tracks your readings across different locations. It measures your diastolic and systolic blood pressure and can detect when your heart is beating irregularly. You can set up reminders to notify you daily when it’s time to check your blood pressure. Just connect the QardioArm BPM to your Apple Watch through Bluetooth before using it.
· Omron Evolv Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor
With an inbuilt screen, Omron shows you your blood pressure reading, so you won’t have to go to the health app on your phone. A portable monitor that takes an accurate reading of your blood pressure. Even though it shows your blood pressure reading, you can still connect your Apple Watch to Omron connect mobile App through Bluetooth.
· Withings Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor
Withings creates an instant chart record of your measurements in its mobile App, Health Mate, so you can see how your blood pressure has improved over time. You can connect your Apple Watch to Withings BPM through Bluetooth.
· iHealth Feel Wireless Arm Blood pressure Monitor
It offers an offline reading of your BPM. You can see your blood pressure record in the iHealth app to know when it’s above normal. Though, you can Connect your Apple Watch to the iHealth using Bluetooth.
How to monitor other health parameters with an Apple Watch
Doctors recommend regular exercise and enough rest for people who often have blood pressure illnesses. You can use your Apple Watch to check your daily workouts like Mixed Cardio with the Fitness and Health app, setting a daily goal and ensuring you reach it
.
The Apple Watch also tracks your heart rate with its sensor. The resting heart rate section is a plus when working out to keep a steady BPM. The lower your resting heart rate is, the closer you are to your daily goals. There are 12 different workout options on the Apple watch to choose from, and you get to monitor your heart rate. You get notified in cases when your heart rate is too high or low.
Your Apple Watch also detects sleep apnea. It focuses on tracking your sleep durations and behavior to rest better at night. Sleep behaviors are the consistent time you go to bed and wake up. Once the feature is enabled, your devices will go to sleep mode at these times to avoid disturbing your sleep. You get to see your sleep record the following day. See how the Apple Watch tracks sleep.
Keep an eye on your heart rate with Apple Watch
While monitoring your blood pressure on your Apple Watch, you should also check your heart health. The Apple Watch Series 4 and later has an EKG feature that records the rhythm of your heart rate to detect abnormal heart rhythm or Afib – Atrial Fibrillation.
Update your Apple Watch to watchOS 6 or newer software version to use the ECG app. Set the ECG in the Health app and add other health records so your health details can be at your fingertips.
Why can’t I check my blood pressure with an Apple Watch?
You can’t track your blood pressure with just an Apple Watch because Apple hasn’t configured the perfect settings for it. Adding this feature to a smart device takes a careful and long process, and since it deals with our health, it has to be accurate. However, it is hoped that this will be possible in the near future.
Apple plans to make a blood pressure monitoring Apple Watch
Apple is taking more steps to expand the health benefits of its Watch by adding the blood pressure monitoring feature
. Bloomberg’s Gurman Mark said;
“Apple Inc.’s plan to add a highly anticipated blood-pressure monitor to its smartwatch has hit some snags, and the technology isn’t expected to be ready until 2024 at the earliest, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
The company has teams working on an updated sensor and software for Apple watch that would determine if a user has high blood pressure. Still, accuracy has been a challenge during testing. The feature has been planned for at least four years, but it’s probably two years away from hitting the market and may delay until 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions on if Apple Watch tracks Blood Pressure
Q. How often should I measure my blood pressure with an Apple Watch?
A. If you are pre-hypertensive, hypertensive, or diabetic, it is advisable to track your blood pressure regularly, as described in this article. Even if you don’t suffer from the listed ailments, you should still check your BPM regularly to know when it is above normal.
Q. Which app is the best to pair with my Apple Watch to track my blood pressure?
A. If you are looking for the best third-party app that accurately reads your blood pressure, QardioArm has one of the best ratings compared to other blood monitoring apps and devices.
Q. Is measuring blood pressure with Apple Watch accurate?
A. Yes, measuring your blood pressure with an Apple Watch is accurate as long as you use a blood pressure monitoring device recommended by a doctor.
Q. Can I check my blood pressure with just an Apple watch?
A. No, you can’t check your blood pressure with just an Apple Watch. Apple hasn’t configured the Apple Watch to do that properly without pairing it to a third-party BPM device. However, all hands are on deck to ensure that in the nearest future, you can track your blood pressure with just your Apple Watch.
Wrap Up
We know how important it is to track our blood pressure. This tells us when it is above normal in other to take quick action. There’s no better way than to work with a smart device like an Apple Watch to keep you in check with your health.
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