New study says wearables like the Apple Watch can detect long-term COVID-19 symptoms
It's not news that wearables like the Apple Watch (US$249 on Amazon) can detect signs of a COVID-19 infection fairly early. But as more and more people get vaccinated against the deadly virus, medical scientists are shifting their focus to helping millions of people who are suffering from long-term COVID-19 symptoms. As it turns out, smartwatches can assist in diagnosing and treating these conditions.
According to a new study, the sophisticated sensors of modern smartwatches and their continuous collection of physiological data can be used to detect long-term symptoms, particularly behavioral and cardiovascular changes that emerge after the acute symptoms of the infection subside. Shortness of breath and sleep disorders are examples of possible long-term symptoms of the coronavirus.
With the help of a physician, the heart-frequency readings and data from the accelerometer can be used to identify and treat aforementioned symptoms. According to the study, the scientists for example observed that about 14% of COVID-19 patients registered an elevated heart rate after their infection and that it did not return to normal after 133 days. The study revealed that the data collected by smartwatches can be a valuable asset for further research into the long-term effects of the notorious coronavirus.
Source(s)
Jama Network via 9to5mac, Image: Fusion Medical Animation