The Apple Watch is one of the best devices that Apple has. Light and small but packed with technology. It started as a clock that would save us from having to look at the iPhone so many times but over time it has earned a place of honor among users in its own right. With its technology that helps us users to keep a close watch on our heart rate. Helps us in case of falls And now two new studies claim that the Apple Watch could detect Coronavirus before the first symptoms are seen.
A couple of studies from Mount Sinai and Stanford claim that the Apple Watch could detect Coronavirus before the first symptoms are seen
A news released by the American media CBS, states that there are a couple of new studies that indicate that the Apple Watch, among others, can help detect COVID-19 before the appearance of the first symptoms or having the results of a positive test. The studies, conducted separately by Mount Sinai Health System in New York and Stanford University in California, they are giving experts hope that the Apple Watch can help "play a vital role in stopping the pandemic and other communicable diseases."
Research conducted by Mount Sinai in New York:
Research made by Mount Sinai found that the Apple Watch is capable of detecting "subtle changes in an individual's heartbeat" up to seven days before the onset of symptoms COVID-19 or a positive test. The study looked at heart rate variability, or the variation in time between heartbeats, among nearly 300 healthcare workers who wore the watch between April 29 and September 29.
The report mentions the following references and conclusions, according to Rob Hirten, assistant professor of medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York and author of the Warrior Watch study.
Our goal was to use tools to identify infections at the time of infection or before people knew they were sick. We already knew that heart rate variability markers change as inflammation develops in the body. The disease caused by COVID-19 produces very important inflammatory episodes. With this study we are able to predict and detect those who are infected before they know it. Right now we depend on and trust people to say they are sick and not feeling well. However, when using an Apple Watch, no active user input is required and can identify people who may be asymptomatic. It is a way to better control infectious diseases.
The Stanford study is very similar to the Sinai study:
This study conducted by Stanford, The results of which were published in November, included activity trackers not only from Apple Watch, but also from other brands such as Garmin and Fitbit. The study found that these devices could indicate changes in heart rate at rest. "Up to nine and a half days before the onset of symptoms" in coronavirus positive patients. The researchers were able to identify nearly two-thirds of COVID-19 cases four to seven days before symptoms. As manifested in the study.
The most important thing about the study is that the team has also created an alarm system. It alerts users that their heart rate has been elevated for a sustained period of time:
We set the alarm with some sensitivity so that it goes off every two months or so. Regular fluctuations will not trigger the alarm, only significant and sustained changes will. It is a great advance because these alerts allow the people who receive them to cancel certain meetings in order to prevent them from being infected.
Unlike other brands, Apple did not fund or participate in any of these studies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention they published a model which indicates how the Apple Watch and other smartwatches can help slow the spread of COVID-19.