9 Apple Watch Health Features That Fly Under the Radar, According to an Apple Doctor
For millions of Apple Watch users, the device is a daily companion—tracking workouts, steps, and heart rate with ease. But beneath its familiar interface lies a suite of lesser-known health features designed to provide deeper insights into your well-being. To uncover these hidden tools, we spoke with Dr. Lauren Cheung, a clinician at Apple, who explained how these features function and why they were developed to support users’ health.
From overnight vitals monitoring to advanced sleep analysis, these features are often overlooked but can offer meaningful data to support users make informed decisions about their health. Here’s a closer look at nine under-the-radar Apple Watch health features, verified through official Apple documentation and insights from Dr. Cheung.
1. The Vitals App: Your Overnight Health Dashboard
One of the most powerful yet underused features is the Vitals app, which aggregates overnight health metrics to provide a snapshot of your well-being each morning. Available on Apple Watch Series 8 and later, as well as all Apple Watch Ultra models, the app tracks key indicators such as:
- Heart rate
- Wrist temperature (Series 8 and Ultra models only)
- Respiratory rate
- Sleep duration
- Blood oxygen levels (for watches sold in the U.S. Before January 18, 2024)
Dr. Cheung explained in an email to CNET that the app is designed to alert users when two or more metrics fall outside their typical range. For example, if your heart rate and wrist temperature are elevated, the app might suggest this could be due to illness or recent alcohol consumption. These notifications appear shortly after waking, allowing users to adjust their plans—whether that means resting more or consulting a doctor if symptoms persist.
To set up the Vitals app, users must wear their Apple Watch for at least seven consecutive days to establish a baseline. The watch must fit snugly to ensure accurate readings. Notifications can be enabled in the watch’s Settings under Vitals.
2. Hypertension Notifications: Early Warnings for High Blood Pressure
With the release of Apple Watch Series 11, Apple introduced hypertension notifications, a feature designed to alert users to potential high blood pressure. Even as the watch cannot measure blood pressure directly, it uses advanced algorithms to analyze trends in heart rate and other metrics that may correlate with hypertension. This feature is part of Apple’s broader effort to provide proactive health insights, though it is not a replacement for professional medical advice.
According to Apple’s official health documentation, these notifications are intended to prompt users to consult their healthcare provider if they receive repeated alerts. The feature is particularly valuable for those managing chronic conditions or monitoring their cardiovascular health.
3. Sleep Score: Grading Your Night’s Rest
Sleep tracking has been a staple of the Apple Watch for years, but the Sleep Score feature, introduced with the Apple Watch Series 11, takes it a step further. This tool grades your night’s rest on a scale of 1 to 100, providing a clear, actionable metric to help users understand the quality of their sleep. The score is based on factors such as:
- Total sleep duration
- Time spent in different sleep stages (e.g., REM, core, deep)
- Heart rate variability
- Respiratory rate
The Sleep Score is displayed in the Health app on your iPhone, where users can also witness trends over time. For those using the Apple Watch SE 3, sleep tracking is available, though it provides a simplified “low to high” rating rather than a numerical score.
4. Wrist Temperature Tracking: A Window Into Your Health
Available on Apple Watch Series 8 and later, as well as Apple Watch Ultra models, wrist temperature tracking is a feature that many users overlook. The watch measures your wrist temperature overnight, providing insights into potential changes in your body’s baseline. This data can be particularly useful for tracking:
- Menstrual cycle trends (when paired with the Cycle Tracking feature)
- Signs of illness or infection
- Recovery from physical exertion or travel
Apple notes that wrist temperature can fluctuate due to external factors, such as room temperature or how tightly the watch is worn. However, when combined with other metrics like heart rate and respiratory rate, it can offer valuable context about your overall health.
5. Blood Oxygen Monitoring: A Tool for Respiratory Health
Blood oxygen monitoring, or SpO2 tracking, was reintroduced with the Apple Watch Series 11 after being temporarily removed due to regulatory concerns. This feature measures the percentage of oxygen in your blood, which can be an indicator of respiratory health. While not intended for medical diagnosis, it can help users identify potential issues such as:
- Sleep apnea
- Asthma or other respiratory conditions
- High-altitude acclimatization
Blood oxygen readings are taken periodically throughout the day and night, and users can view their trends in the Health app. Apple emphasizes that this feature is not a substitute for professional medical devices, but it can serve as a useful tool for monitoring general wellness.
6. Respiratory Rate Tracking: Understanding Your Breathing Patterns
The Apple Watch tracks your respiratory rate, or the number of breaths you take per minute, during sleep. This metric can provide insights into your overall health, as changes in respiratory rate may indicate:
- Stress or anxiety
- Respiratory infections
- Recovery from illness or physical activity
Respiratory rate is measured using the watch’s accelerometer and heart rate sensor, and the data is synced to the Health app. Users can set up notifications to alert them if their respiratory rate falls outside their typical range, which may prompt further investigation with a healthcare provider.
7. Irregular Rhythm Notifications: Detecting Potential Heart Issues
One of the most well-known but still underutilized features of the Apple Watch is its ability to detect irregular heart rhythms, which may indicate atrial fibrillation (AFib). The watch uses its optical heart sensor to monitor your heart rate and rhythm, and it can send a notification if it detects an irregular pattern that may warrant medical attention.
According to Apple, this feature has been clinically validated and is cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, it is not intended for users with known AFib or those under 22 years of age. If you receive an irregular rhythm notification, Apple recommends consulting a healthcare professional for further evaluation.
8. Fall Detection: A Lifesaving Feature for Older Adults
Introduced with the Apple Watch Series 4 and available on all subsequent models, Fall Detection is a safety feature designed to automatically detect hard falls. If the watch senses a fall and the user is unresponsive, it can call emergency services and share the user’s location with emergency contacts.
This feature is particularly valuable for older adults or individuals with medical conditions that may increase their risk of falls. Users can enable Fall Detection in the Emergency SOS settings on their Apple Watch. While it is not a replacement for medical alert systems, it provides an added layer of security for those who may demand assistance.
9. Noise Monitoring: Protecting Your Hearing
The Noise app on the Apple Watch monitors ambient sound levels in your environment and alerts you if the noise reaches levels that could damage your hearing. This feature is especially useful for those who work in loud environments or frequently attend concerts and events.
The watch uses its built-in microphone to measure decibel levels, and it can send a notification if the noise exceeds 80 decibels, which is the threshold at which prolonged exposure can lead to hearing loss. Users can customize their noise threshold in the Noise app settings and view their exposure history in the Health app.
How to Make the Most of These Features
To fully benefit from these hidden health features, Dr. Cheung recommends the following tips:
- Wear your watch consistently: Many features, such as the Vitals app and wrist temperature tracking, require several days of data to establish a baseline.
- Ensure a snug fit: A loose watch can lead to inaccurate readings, particularly for features like heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring.
- Enable notifications: Turn on alerts for features like irregular rhythm notifications and respiratory rate tracking to stay informed about potential health changes.
- Review trends in the Health app: The Health app on your iPhone provides a comprehensive view of your data, allowing you to track trends over time and share information with your healthcare provider.
Key Takeaways
- The Vitals app aggregates overnight health metrics to provide a daily snapshot of your well-being, alerting you when multiple metrics fall outside your typical range.
- Hypertension notifications and Sleep Score are novel features introduced with the Apple Watch Series 11, offering proactive insights into cardiovascular health and sleep quality.
- Wrist temperature tracking and blood oxygen monitoring provide additional context for tracking illness, recovery, and respiratory health.
- Features like irregular rhythm notifications, Fall Detection, and Noise monitoring are designed to enhance safety and well-being, particularly for older adults and those with specific health concerns.
- To maximize the benefits of these features, users should wear their Apple Watch consistently, ensure a snug fit, and enable notifications for key health metrics.
What’s Next for Apple Watch Health Features?
Apple continues to innovate in the health and wellness space, with rumors suggesting that future updates may include additional sensors and features, such as non-invasive blood glucose monitoring and advanced sleep apnea detection. While these features are not yet confirmed, they highlight Apple’s commitment to expanding the Apple Watch’s capabilities as a comprehensive health tool.
For now, users can take advantage of the existing features to gain deeper insights into their health and make more informed decisions about their well-being. Whether you’re managing a chronic condition, tracking your fitness progress, or simply looking to improve your daily habits, the Apple Watch offers a range of tools to support your goals.
Have you discovered any hidden Apple Watch features that have made a difference in your health routine? Share your experiences in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to World Today Journal’s Tech section for the latest updates on consumer technology and innovation.