Apple is reportedly exploring new ways to monitor heart health through its next-generation AirPods. According to a patent uncovered by Patently Apple, the company is working on using earbuds to measure heart activity by leveraging the built-in microphone.
The patent describes how a microphone inside an earbud could generate a signal that can be processed to assess heart activity. The system may be able to detect heart conditions, such as bradycardia, tachycardia, and abnormal heartbeats. It could even use artificial intelligence to detect carotid artery blockages and estimate blood pressure using pulse transit time.
Apple has already introduced heart health features on its Apple Watch, including heart rate monitoring and electrocardiogram (ECG) functionality. The company is also reportedly developing blood pressure monitoring capabilities for future Apple Watch models.
Although patent applications don’t always result in commercial products, there are reports that Apple is testing heart rate sensors for the AirPods Pro 3 and Powerbeats Pro 2, which may launch in 2025. Last year, Bloomberg reported that Apple was also looking into adding body temperature sensors to AirPods.
Earlier this month, Apple introduced hearing aid support for its AirPods Pro 2.
