Fitness tracker: How to recognize long-COVID

In the USA, every fourth adult already uses fitness trackers or smart watches from different manufacturers. The wristbands transmit the data to a collection point after the user has given their consent. From March 2020 to January 2021, 37,146 Americans submitted their data. 827 people suffered from COVID symptoms. 234 of the 827 tested positive.

Long-COVID: Symptoms clearly recognizable

Scientists from the Scripps Institute have evaluated the data of the corona sufferers:

• The measured parameters show the strong effects of  COVID-19  on the body.
• During the illness, a high heart rate and long periods of sleep were recorded.
• The number of measured steps per day decreased.
• A transient  bradycardia , a slight decrease in the heart’s rate of beats, was noted. This mostly occurred between the ninth and fifteenth day of the illness.
• The pulse remained higher than before the illness for up to 79 days. This could be an indication of  Long-COVID  . The pulse was one to five beats higher than before the illness.
• Sleep patterns and step count returned to normal up to 24 days after surviving the COVID infection.

Studies show that data from fitness trackers can make it easier to diagnose diseases. In combination with the symptoms, a disease can be detected with a high degree of probability. If you notice any changes, you should contact your family doctor. Although fitness trackers can provide initial information, they do not replace medical examinations or medical devices such as a long-term ECG.