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Researchers Warn: Smartwatches Mislead on Blood Pressure Alerts

2/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers from the University of Utah warn against relying on smartwatches for blood pressure screening.
A Journal of the American Medical Association study found watches miss alerts for some and falsely alert others.
The FDA approved the Apple Watch's hypertension notifications feature, but it is not meant for diagnosis.
Researchers recommend continuing traditional blood pressure screenings, and follow-up studies will explore demographic factors related to false alerts.

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Story summary

Researchers from the University of Utah warn against relying on smartwatches for blood pressure screening.
A Journal of the American Medical Association study found watches miss alerts for some and falsely alert others.
The FDA approved the Apple Watch's hypertension notifications feature, but it is not meant for diagnosis.
Researchers recommend continuing traditional blood pressure screenings, and follow-up studies will explore demographic factors related to false alerts.