Wearables like the Apple Watch could detect early signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, a number of studies have been conducted to determine whether smart wearable devices could detect signs of COVID-19, and now, according to a new paper in the JAMA Network Open journal, Apple Watch could even detect long-term side effects of the virus, which could be useful for those who are suffering from ‘Long COVID’.
The study, which ran between March 25 and January 24, saw more than 37,000 people using Fitbits, Apple Watches, and other wearables, and researchers said that combining data from the Apple Watch and Fitbit with self-reported symptoms could lead to more accurate detection of COVID-19 cases.
But now researchers are using the data to focus on some of the lasting health effects of the virus, such as a change in resting heart rate for individuals who had Covid, and a change in steps and sleep.
The scientists revealed that around nine days after participants began reporting symptoms of COVID, their heart rates dropped, but then they rose and remained elevated for many months. On average, it took patients 79 days for their heart rate to return to normal.
The research is interesting as it’s the first time data from Apple Watch has been used in a global health crisis, and could set a standard for future pandemics. Click here to read the full research paper and check back to our website soon for more news and analysis, every day.