Sandy, there is probably a reason why you haen’t been able to get this app to work and even if it did provide these typical metrics, I’d be so sceptical about the accuracy that I wouldn’t even bother. After all, even Scottie uses a Tricorder and not an Apple Watch 🤣
From: 'Richard Turner' via VIPhone <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 4:09 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: blood pressure monitoring apps? I asked ChatGPT to check for statements by the doctor you referenced and here is its answer: Yes — there are a few places where Dr. Tim Spector has mentioned the possibility of measuring blood pressure using a smartphone camera, although he usually discusses it as an emerging or experimental technology, not as something already clinically reliable. Below are the clearest examples. ________________________________ 1. Dr. Tim Spector – BBC / Public Talks on Digital Health In several interviews about the future of digital health monitoring, Spector has noted that smartphones may soon measure vital signs such as blood pressure using the camera and sensors. One example comes from discussions of the ZOE health research and COVID symptom study, where he mentioned how phones could eventually monitor health metrics directly. A representative quote attributed to him in coverage of digital health monitoring: “Phones can already measure things like heart rate with the camera, and in the future they may be able to measure blood pressure and other markers without additional devices.” These comments appear in BBC interviews and tech-health discussions related to the ZOE study and personal health monitoring. ________________________________ 2. ZOE / Nutrition Science Discussions In ZOE podcast episodes and blog discussions, Spector has talked about the rapid progress of smartphone-based health sensors, including: * heart rate from camera * oxygen saturation * experimental blood pressure estimation from optical signals These references are usually framed as: * photoplethysmography (PPG) using the camera and flash * combined with machine learning models to estimate blood pressure. ________________________________ 3. Articles About Smartphone Health Monitoring In interviews discussing the future of personalized medicine, Spector has also pointed out that: * smartphones are becoming medical monitoring tools * cameras can capture blood flow signals from a fingertip * algorithms may eventually estimate blood pressure without cuffs These references typically appear in pieces about: * the ZOE Health Study * digital biomarkers * the future of consumer health monitoring. ________________________________ Important Context Spector generally does not claim that iPhone camera blood-pressure measurement is currently accurate enough for medical use. The context of his statements is usually: * future possibility * research prototypes * AI-assisted estimation Current clinically accepted blood pressure measurement still requires: * a cuff monitor (oscillometric or manual). ________________________________ I would not hold my breath for this to ever be reliable. Get an accessible Blood Pressure Cuff. I have one, and I know others do as well. Richard, USA, he only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance." -- Alan Watts (1915-1973) My web site: https://www.turner42.com From: 'Sandy Tomkins' via VIPhone <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 3:02 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: blood pressure monitoring apps? Siegart and Richard, thanks for this info. I do still have an app which offers systolic and diastolic breakdowns. as I said though, I haven't got it to work yet… I will do a little more digging… I think it will have the potential to do it though, if I remember correctly his name is Tim Spector, he's a very well-known and very well respected Doctor. particularly known for his work on the Microbiome, and he talks a lot about blood pressure. Will try and find a link for you… That's it for now, Sandy NZ Sent from The dark side of the moon On Mar 4, 2026, at 9:17 p.m., Sieghard Weitzel <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: Adding to this, here is what Copilot had to say: Question: Can the Apple Watch measure blood pressure with the sensors it currently has? Short answer: No — not with actual systolic/diastolic numbers. But the Apple Watch can now detect signs of hypertension using its existing optical heart sensor, without adding new hardware. Here’s the clear breakdown based on current, real‑world data: What the Apple Watch can do with its current sensors Recent updates (watchOS 26, rolling out since late 2025) enable Apple Watch models—from Series 9 onward—to detect potential chronic high blood pressure (hypertension). This uses only the optical heart sensor to analyze how your blood vessels respond to each heartbeat over long periods (about 30 days). The feature has received FDA clearance for detection. [applemagazine.com]<https://applemagazine.com/apple-watch-hypertension-alerts-gain-fda-approval-for-2025-rollout/>, [macrumors.com]<https://www.macrumors.com/2025/09/15/apple-watch-hypertension-notifications-now-live/> What the Apple Watch cannot do The Watch cannot measure blood pressure in the traditional sense (i.e., no systolic/diastolic readings). It does not replace a blood‑pressure cuff. TechRadar confirms: 1. The Watch does not provide specific numeric readings 2. You cannot do spot‑checks 3. It is not a clinical blood‑pressure monitor [techradar.com]<https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/smartwatches/how-does-apple-watchs-new-hypertension-feature-actually-work> Instead, it looks for patterns suggesting hypertension, then recommends confirming with a real cuff. Why the Watch can detect hypertension but not measure BP The optical sensor can track pulse wave patterns (like pulse wave velocity), which correlate indirectly with blood pressure. This allows long‑term trend detection, not instantaneous measurement. [empirical.health]<https://www.empirical.health/blog/apple-watch-blood-pressure/> Traditional BP measurement requires compression of an artery, which the Watch cannot perform. Final Answer Using its current sensors, the Apple Watch cannot measure blood pressure directly or give systolic/diastolic numbers. But it can detect possible hypertension trends over time using its optical heart sensor and machine‑learning algorithms. -----Original Message----- From: 'Richard Turner' via VIPhone <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Sent: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 10:54 AM To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Subject: RE: blood pressure monitoring apps? Sandy, first, I spoke with a doctor friend and he assures me there is no way on God's green earth that an app can detect blood pressure using the camera. Pulse rate, yes, but not very accurately compared to a Blood pressure cuff on the arm... Second, the Health Pro app does not seem to be available in the United States. Could you look it up and copy the description, I'm just curious what it claims. If you have a YouTube link, I'd also be curious about what someone is saying about this as I find it pretty hard to believe. Richard, USA, he only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance." -- Alan Watts (1915-1973) My web site: https://www.turner42.com -----Original Message----- From: 'Sandy Tomkins' via VIPhone <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Sent: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 10:39 AM To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Subject: Re: blood pressure monitoring apps? Richard, Lovely to hear from you, all is keeping very well hearing Sunny Island! now, for those of little faith, I have an app, one of three I think, that purports to be able to detect blood pressure. The The one I've just been looking at is called "health pro". I can't seem to make it work for me, although it has other modes, such as pulse, heart rate, glucose and some other others, I can't make any of them work yet, so I'm wondering if it's me, VoiceOver, or the app. there there are several such apps though… many many of them are advertised on YouTube and I have seen YouTube videos with doctors, ones I know and respect, who recommend this method. they have been shown to be some perce percentage points less accurate than the more normal devices, however, they make up for it in other ways, one, you don't get all over excited and discombobulated, because you're using a device, so the readings are often more reflective of your actual status quo. too, and this applies especially to the smart watch versions, you can wear them all day and make an all day/all night record of your numbers, which can be very useful indeed. I am pretty certain some of them work, I may not have found them yet or VoiceOver maybe isn't working with them well yet either way, this is a space to watch… anyhow anyhow, if I remember correctly, Health pro, and oh, quick pulse, I may be wrong about that one though, are two and they didn't cost me anything. all the best! Sandy and her beloved uncle Zio Guide dog. Sent from The dark side of the moon > On Mar 4, 2026, at 2:59 p.m., 'Richard Turner' via VIPhone > <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: > > I've never heard of such a method, nor do I think it would be medically > accurate. > I believe the newest Apple Watch may have a blood pressure feature, but there > is no way the camera could accurately monitor your pressure. > There are apps that try to gauge your pulse by holding your finger on the > camera, but that is not easily done. > You need a blood pressure cuff to accurately measure your pressure. > Or, refer us to a source for information on this. > > > > Richard, USA, > he only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, > and join the dance." > -- Alan Watts (1915-1973) > > My web site: https://www.turner42.com > > > -----Original Message----- > From: 'Sandy Tomkins' via VIPhone > <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> > Sent: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 5:30 AM > To: 'Carol Pearson' via VIPhone > <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> > Subject: blood pressure monitoring apps? > > hi, > No I'm not talking about apps that Link with a blood pressure monitor, I'm > talking about apps where your phone uses the camera to monitor blood > pressure. as I understand it, it can also monitor glucose and heart rate et > cetera. I have downloaded some free apps, I think one is called HealthPro? I > forgotten the names, anyway I do not find them easy to use, has anyone used, > successfully, one of these apps with VoiceOver? a although I'm interested in > all of the different elements of my vascular system, being monitored, I am > particularly interested in blood pressure! so when any suggestions for any of > these that will be gratefully received… All the best, and exciting day to > you, but not too exciting, watch the pressure… Sandy and Z Sent from The dark > side of the moon > > -- > The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. > > If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if > you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or > moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. > > Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor. Mark can be reached at: > [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. 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