A new Apple research paper shows how the company is exploring deeper heart-health insights using AI and optical sensors. While watchOS 26 already offers long-term hypertension notifications based on 30-day trends, Apple researchers are now testing whether photoplethysmography (PPG) signals — the same type used in Apple Watch — can reveal more advanced cardiac metrics.
In the study, Apple developed a hybrid AI model that maps PPG data to arterial pressure waveforms and then estimates biomarkers like stroke volume and cardiac output. The method accurately tracked trends, outperforming conventional techniques, though exact values remain challenging.
The research doesn’t reference the Apple Watch or future products, but it suggests Apple is investigating ways to extract richer, potentially life-saving cardiovascular insights from existing sensors.
Source: 9to5Mac
