Google has taught smartwatches to detect high blood pressure without a cuff

The Google Research division has developed an artificial intelligence-based algorithm capable of detecting signs of high blood pressure using standard sensors in smartwatches. The system does not require a traditional cuff to work — the device analyzes only the user's pulse and movement data.

The effectiveness of the method was tested in a clinical study involving 196 people. According to the test results, the success rate for detecting abnormalities was 65.8 percent, which exceeded the accuracy of standard measurements taken in a medical office setting.

The new tool has already been integrated into the official Google Health app. The developers note that the feature is for informational purposes only and does not replace a full medical diagnosis from a doctor.

The emergence of such features in mass-market consumer devices allows users to regularly monitor their cardiovascular health in everyday life without specialized medical equipment.