The next Apple Watch could well use sensors expected for several years now, which should allow the arrival of some additional health-related features.
According to a recent report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is preparing to introduce blood pressure monitoring and sleep apnea detection in its famous smartwatch, the Apple Watch, and these innovations should arrive with an updated design in 2024.
The introduction of a blood pressure monitoring system is one of the most anticipated updates by Apple Watch users. The initial version of this technology, which should be launched in the near future, will focus in particular on the detection of hypertension, according to information from Mark Gurman.
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According to Mark Gurman, the new feature will send notifications to users if their blood pressure tends to rise and offer them a diary in which they can record additional information about the circumstances surrounding the onset of hypertension. To avoid misdiagnosis, the feature will then guide users to a healthcare professional or use a traditional cuff to obtain accurate systolic and diastolic measurements.
Better yet, while the first iteration will focus on trends and notifications, a future version is already in development to provide accurate digital readings and even diagnose related conditions.
Apple is also reportedly preparing to integrate a sleep apnea detection function in Apple Watch by 2024. This feature will use sleep and breathing patterns to estimate the presence of sleep apnea and prompt users to consult a healthcare professional if necessary.
Mark Gurman also recalls that the company is actively working on non-invasive blood sugar monitoring, using a silicon photonic chip to shine light under the skin and provide indications of glucose concentrations. Like the blood pressure monitoring system, this glucose monitoring will focus on tracking trends and warning users of potential prediabetes, without providing accurate blood sugar readings. However, according to the latest reports, these glucose monitoring features are unlikely to materialize in a product for several years.