New Apple Watch Hypertension Notifications use existing sensors. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
A major new health feature for recent Apple Watch models can alert users to possible hypertension (aka high blood pressure) by analyzing patterns in their heart data over time. Apple offered a document earlier this week explaining how the Hypertension Notifications feature works using existing sensors.
Available with watchOS 26, the feature works on Apple Watch Series 9 and later models, as well as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later.
The upcoming Galaxy Watch Ultra (current model pictured) and other other models could bring some pretty impressive new health features. Apple should take notice. Photo: Samsung
Looks like Samsung might push the boundaries of wearable health technology with its upcoming Galaxy Watch, due in July. Its features go beyond what Apple Watch currently offers. Galaxy will include a groundbreaking, needle-free blood analysis tool among other intriguing features, according to a new report.
The new capabilities might offer a prescription of sorts for future Apple Watch upgrades.
Available in certain gyms and equipment. Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Connect Apple Watch to a treadmill at Planet Fitness, and other exercise equipment, for more accurate health data inside the Fitness and Health apps on your iPhone. After all, if you’re working out, you want to make sure your Apple Watch gives you credit for it.
Apple's Vitals app noticed the repeatedly elevated heart rate that sent her to the doctor, resulting in the alarming diagnosis. Photo: Apple
We hear plenty of stories about Apple Watch saving lives, but they rarely if ever involve cancer — until now. According to news from down under, Apple Watch’s persistent alerts about an elevated heart rate helped save a New Zealand psychiatrist’s life, leading to a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia just hours before potential organ failure.
In the near future, an AI health coach may analyze your data and make recommendations. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple may take a significant leap forward in its health initiatives within about a year, completely revamping its Health app and adding an Apple AI health coach, according to a new report.
With more resources trained on the goal, called Project Mulberry, the iPhone giant gets closer to delivering on CEO Tim Cook’s vision that Apple’s greatest contribution to society will be in health care.
It probably won’t, but it may. Image: Helitak430/Wikimedia Commons/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
It’s very important to set up your iPhone Medical ID so it’s ready in case you find yourself in an emergency situation. First responders can check your iPhone to get critical information about any allergies or preexisting conditions that could make a huge difference in their ability to help you.
It might be unpleasant to think about, but providing this vital information could prove lifesaving if an accident leaves you unconscious.
If you haven’t yet done so you’ll be happy to know it only takes a couple of minutes to update your medical records in the Health app on your iPhone. Here’s how to do it.
The app under development is separate from plans for a noninvasive blood sugar monitor. Photo: Pexels
Apple is secretly testing a new health app designed to help individuals with prediabetes manage their diet and lifestyle choices, according to a new report. The experimental app, tested with select employees earlier this year, focuses on helping users understand how different foods affect their blood sugar levels. That might help stave off Type 2 diabetes for some.
Some might use it just to marvel at how that cookie is spiking their blood sugar and choose an apple next time, instead.
The Apple Hearing Study's tinnitus update sounded off about the condition's prevalence and characteristics. Photo: Apple
In one of the largest surveys on tinnitus so far, University of Michigan researchers participating in the Apple Hearing Study released data and insights Tuesday that could help lead to future treatment.
Tinnitus is the perception of sound, often ringing, that others do not hear.
“The Apple Hearing Study gives us an opportunity that was not possible before to improve our understanding of tinnitus across demographics, aiding current scientific knowledge that can ultimately improve management of tinnitus,” said Rick Neitzel, a University of Michigan School of Public Health professor of environmental health sciences.
Cedars-Sinai’s Xaia app offers patients AI-enabled, conversational mental health support in relaxing spatial environments where they can also do deep breathing exercises and meditation. Photo: Apple
Powerful new health and wellness apps take advantage of visionOS’s “infinite canvas” to use spatial experiences to improve patient outcomes in clinical settings and at home, Apple said Monday. It seems that Vision Pro health apps are changing medical care.
“We’re thrilled to see the incredible apps that developers across the healthcare community are bringing to Apple Vision Pro,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. “The imagination and drive of our developers, combined with the technical capabilities of visionOS, are igniting new possibilities for physicians, frontline workers, and even students, and we can’t wait to see what’s to come.”
Never heard of pickleball? Don't worry, Apple has tips for you. Photo: Apple
As the nascent sport of pickleball becomes more popular worldwide, new Apple research shows both it and its older sibling, tennis, pack big health benefits.
The Apple Heart and Movement Study tracked Apple Watch data from thousands of users to get the results.
Nate Gorby wrote to Tim Cook and tweeted his tale of life-changing fitness and weight loss. Photo: Nate Gorby
Apple CEO Tim Cook took a moment to congratulate a man who wrote to him and tweeted an inspiring story of using Apple Watch and Fitness+ to lose more than 100 pounds over several months.
Nate Gorby told his story in his tweet, below, saying Apple’s tools changed his life. Cook’s direct reply was just one of many responses.
New health features come to iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and watchOS 10. Photo: Apple
At WWDC23, Apple said it’s adding a slew of new health features in iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and watchOS 10 that will help you take care of yourself physically and emotionally.
And while new mental health and vision features are coming across platforms, the more-general Health app finally arrives on iPad, as well.
William Fryer, 83, said Apple Watch saved his life. Photo: WCPO ABC-9 Cincinnati
When an Ohio man went for his usual walk along the river recently and felt his knees turn to rubber, he had no idea what he was in for — other than he was “going down.”
But it turned out his Apple Watch and a health app had a few ideas, and they helped save the fallen 83-year-old’s life.
The new Withings Body Smart scale not only measures health metrics, it keeps them private if you like. Photo: Withings
Withings unveiled its newest smart scale Tuesday, the Body Smart. It provides precise weight, body composition and health measurements as well as an Eyes Closed Mode “for those that dare not look,” the company said.
Eyes Closed Mode instead shows encouraging statements on the scale and surfaces your actual stats in the Apple Health-connected app so others can’t see them.
Maybe, just maybe, you can use Apple Wallet. Image: Rwendland/Wikimedia Commons/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Add your COVID-19 vaccine card to Apple Wallet on your iPhone, and you can leave your physical card safe at home. Some places may require proof of vaccination to enter, like international airports, concert venues and cruise ships.
If your health care provider can share data with the Apple Health app, and if digital cards are considered valid proof of vaccination where you’re going, and if the stars are in the right place, too, you just might be able to go all-in on Apple Wallet. Let me show you how.
In a possible groundbreaking new product, Apple Watch could monitor blood glucose with the help of device strapped to the bicep. Photo: Apple
Apple Watch is well-known as a health tracker, but a new report said a secret project dating back to Steve Jobs’ era — to use the wearable to monitor glucose without pricking the skin to get blood — has made headway recently. And that has major implications.
The secret effort, known as E5, could involve a device that straps to the bicep and works with the watch. If it comes to market, it could disrupt industries and help millions of diabetics.
Import your medical history and vaccine card to your iPhone. Image: Public Domain/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
A lot of healthcare providers have terrible websites. Apple’s Health app, on the other hand, is very well organized and intuitive to use. You can add your medical records to the Apple Health app for easy access to all your health history, medications, test results and data. If your healthcare provider supports this feature, it’s incredibly convenient having all your information in one place. Once it’s in the Health app, you can easily add medication reminders and share your information with doctors, close family members and friends.
I’ve juggled between a few healthcare providers and I’ve never found one with a comprehensible, user-friendly website. If you have the right healthcare provider, and the stars are in the right place too, you should be able to connect them.
You won't be able to hide anything from your Withings Body Comp smart scale. Photo: Withings
Withings introduced its newest and most-advanced smart scale along with the company’s first health subscription service Thursday, both integrated with Apple Health.
The company said the Body Comp scale measures multiple biomarkers for a complete body assessment and the annual Health+ subscription service provides health analysis and tools to help users build healthful routines.
The scale and service launch October 4 at a price of $209.95.
Wearables like Apple Watch monitor our bodies around the clock, providing health insights in real time. That’s a new and unprecedented development in medical technology. The benefits are already clear, as the report illustrates, with anecdotes about how Apple Watch has saved lives.
But anecdotal evidence is not the same as scientific research. By cherry-picking the best outcomes, anecdotes risk overlooking the bigger picture. Scientists must look at all the outcomes, not just the good ones. With that in mind, I took a closer look at the scientific studies cited in Apple’s report, to find out what they tell us about the impact Apple Watch is having on our health.
Apple Watch keeps saving people's lives. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
In recent years Apple Watch has shown itself to be a lifesaver, either by calling for help when a person’s incapacitated or by offering health readings that lead a person to see a doctor.
In the latter category it just happened again. A woman in Maine didn’t believe what the wearable was telling her at first. But going to the ER led to open-heart surgery that saved her from a probable fatal stroke.
A judge ruled Apple infringed on AliveCor's ECG-related patents. Photo: Apple
Personal electrocardiogram (ECG) technology maker AliveCor sued Apple last year, claiming the tech giant infringed on patents when developing the heart-health functionality for Apple Watch. AliveCor called for a ban on U.S. imports of the wearable, as well.
Now a judge from the International Trade Commission has supported the claims in an initial ruling.
The Withings ScanWatch Horizon looks like a classic dive watch but it's quite tech-savvy. Photo: Withings
Withings, maker of health devices and smartwatches, launched its new ScanWatch Horizon wearable on Tuesday. It looks like a classic dive watch but packs modern health and activity tracking, 30-day battery life and Apple Health integration.
The Pro Steel model keeps beverages cold for 24 hours and will nag you to drink water many times over that period. Photo: Apple
Are you drinking enough water? Probably not. But if you want to know for sure, Apple’s online and retail stores have started selling two new smart water bottles from HidrateSpark. They automatically track your water intake and sync it to the Apple Health app.
They do it for a price, that is. The two new smart water bottles are $80 and $60. And if drinking enough water on a regular basis adds years to your life, that might actually be worth it.
Apple Watch won't get blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring soon, but other new health updates are coming. Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac
Cupertino is likely to add body temperature readings and other new health features to Apple Watch and the Health app in 2022, but it looks like blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring will have to wait, according to a new report.
For a look at those delays to blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring, as well as the expected new features for women’s health and sleep-, fitness- and medication management, read on.