Apple Watch Could Get Blood Pressure Sensor Next Year, Blood Sugar Monitoring Still In Works

Apple Watch is one of the most popular wearable devices in the world. It offers seamless connectivity with the company’s ecosystem of devices, including iPhones and iPads, and, at the same time, provides one of the most accurate readings of health-related metrics like blood oxygen, heart rate, etc. In the coming years, Apple plans to improve upon the Apple Watch’s health monitoring abilities.

Apple Watch To Get Hypertension Tracking Abilities By Next Year

Per Bloomberg, Apple has an “enticing roadmap for 2024,” which includes adding hypertension and sleep apnea detection abilities to the Apple Watch. To achieve the former, Apple is working on adding a blood pressure sensor to the Apple Watch in 2024. However, in the first attempt, the sensor will only tell users if their blood pressure is going upward. Further, the Watch app could also maintain a journal of what was happening when the blood pressure shot up, with user input.

To avoid a misdiagnosis, the smartwatch, on detecting hypertension, would ask the user to talk to their doctor and get the blood pressure measured with a traditional device for getting accurate systolic and diastolic readings. In its second iteration, the blood pressure sensor should be able to give accurate readings and diagnose related conditions.

A Non-Invasive Blood Sugar Sensor Could Also Be Around The Corner

Not many people know this, but measuring users’ blood glucose without pricking the skin was one of the core ideas behind the development of the Apple Watch. However, the technology made it to any of the models so far. Nonetheless, during development, the blood glucose system has been designed to “monitor how a person’s blood sugar is trending and warn users of prediabetes” instead of offering a blood sugar reading.

The company is also working on a virtual health and fitness coach to generate “eating, sleeping, and exercise recommendations” based on the data collected by Apple devices, such as the Apple Watch and possibly the iPhone. Apple is exploring concepts for using iPhone’s cameras to assist users’ form while exercising. In a related development, Apple’s wireless earphones, AirPods, should be able to function as over-the-counter hearing aid devices.

Health Regulatory’s Approval Will Let Users Reference Apple Watch Readings For Medical Use

In the future, Apple’s blood oxygen tracking mechanism could also get health regulatory approval, following which users should be able to use the data for medical use. However, the report also mentions that Apple isn’t interested in post-sick healthcare, which involves the diagnoses and treatment part. Even so, it is developing several methods to inform users about early signs of disorders.

In the company’s ideal future, where it achieves all the breakthroughs and can equip its products with sophisticated tech, people will need fewer single-function devices like blood pressure monitors, thermometers, etc. However, whether the company will provide all the new tech on the regular Apple Watch or save it for the Ultra series’ latest model at the time is something we’re eager to know.

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