Smart watches such as the Apple Watch can detect COVID-19 infections a week before the wearer feels ill or will test positive for the new coronavirus, two medical studies indicate.
Since such devices can identify subtle changes in the heartbeat that may indicate an early infection, they can spot asymptomatic individuals, which make up a significant portion of COVID-19 cases.
Researchers at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York and Stanford University in California have found that smartwatches can provide a kind of early warning system for users during the global pandemic.
For example, if a smartwatch or other device identifies certain physiological indicators, the wearer may decide to avoid contact with others or to perform a COVID-19 test. Early diagnosis is likely to lead to better patient outcomes.
According to Johns Hopkins University, COVID-19 has killed nearly 2 million people worldwide to date.
Apple Watch could issue an early warning about COVID-19
CBS News writes about the twin studies that provide encouraging news for Apple Watch owners and similar devices:
‘Researchers on Mount Sinai have found that the Apple Watch can detect subtle changes in an individual’s heartbeat, which may indicate that an individual has the coronavirus, up to seven days before they feel sick or detect infection through testing. … The study specifically analyzed a measure called heart rate variability – the variation in time between each heart rate – which is also a measure of how well a person’s immune system works. ‘
People with COVID-19 reportedly experience a lower heart rate variability (less variation in time between heartbeats) than those with no COVID-19. Larger heartbeat variables show that someone’s nervous system is “active, adaptable and resilient to stress”.
The study was based on nearly 300 health workers on Mount Sinai who wore Apple Watches between late April and September 2020. Apple did not participate in the study.
A second study
Meanwhile, the unrelated Stanford University study found that 81% of coronavirus patients see a change in resting heart rate up to 9.5 days before COVID-19 symptoms develop. A highly elevated heart rate can therefore help predict the onset of symptoms.
As it is, not enough people wear smartwatches to slow down the spread of coronavirus. There are other, non-COVID reasons why a heartbeat may be increased or that the heartbeat may be altered. Yet it is quite fascinating research that may in the future form the basis for useful tools.
Apple Watch Series 6 also measures the oxygen levels in the blood
Similarly, the blood oxygen sensor in Apple Watch Series 6 can detect the ‘silent hypoxia’ that precedes the onset of severe COVID-19 symptoms. “The ability to detect this silent form of hypoxia in COVID-19 patients before they begin experiencing shortness of breath is critical to preventing pneumonia from progressing to a dangerous level,” according to a 2020 study.
This research has shown that even the technology in ordinary smartphones can identify declining oxygen levels in blood if used properly. An ‘always on’ smartwatch that measures oxygen saturation in the background should work even better.
All of this medical research should be a timely reminder that the smartwatches that more and more of us wear on our wrists can serve as powerful diagnostic tools.
Source: CBS News