Apple Watch can detect COVID-19 a week before symptoms appear

According to Stanford University researchers, Apple's wearable devices can detect subtle changes in a person's heart rate that could point to a COVID-19 infection.

One study tracked 300 healthcare workers wearing Apple Watches from April 29 to September 29. Stanford University also conducted a larger study with over 5,000 participants wearing various smartwatches, including the Apple Watch, Fitbit, and Garmin. The findings showed that 81 percent of participants had a noticeable spike in their heart rate up to nine and a half days before major symptoms appeared. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds of the cases were flagged four to seven days before symptoms actually showed up.

The Apple Watch tracks heart rate variability (HRV) by measuring the interval between each heartbeat. However, other factors like internal inflammation can also impact this metric. So, if your Apple Watch flags an irregular heart rate, it doesn't automatically mean you have COVID-19. Still, if your watch spots an anomaly, it's best to get checked by a doctor.

Source: CBS News