Apple Watch Can Accurately Predict Stress Levels, Study Shows

[MacRumors]

The Apple Watch can accurately predict stress levels, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Waterloo, Canada (via MyHealthyApple).

Using the Apple Watch Series 6's ECG sensor, the researchers found that there was a close association between ECG data, including heart acceleration and deceleration capacity, and participants' reported stress levels at the time the readings were taken. Machine learning algorithms were then developed using this information to create a prediction model.

The stress models are said to have a "high level of precision," but lower recall. The study concludes that the Apple Watch has "promising" potential for stress prediction, and proposes that since the device collects additional health information such as sleep and activity information, even more data points could be integrated into stress models to increase their predictive accuracy.

The researchers postulate that the Apple Watch could be used to aid mental health care, offering activities such as breathing exercises to offset stress signals, responding early to changes in mental health. Competing devices from Samsung, Fitbit, and Garmin have offered a stress score feature for some time, but Apple has yet to implement such a feature in its Health app.

Article Link: Apple Watch Can Accurately Predict Stress Levels, Study Shows

 

[TheOldChevy]

That's an interesting feature. I am not sure a unified medical definition of stress exists, but still, that would be an interesting indicator.

 

[dandyryan]

People can't tell how stressed they are themselves? Must be nice

 

[appleguy123]

Highly recommend everyone track and try to increase their heart rate variability. It is directly related to the ability of the brain and heart to handle stress and is a biomarker for autonomic nervous system function. I started working on mine in May and I really feel 3x better and more resilient day to day. The Apple Watch has been tracking this in the background for as long as you have been wearing it. You can take in the moment HRV measures (which is very similar to what this study did) by using the breath app and then checking the health app.

This is one of the most important health metrics it tracks. Another good one related to mental and physical health is “cardio fitness” which is tracked every time you log a walking or running workout. This is a direct measure of how much blood your heart can get to your brain.

 

[TheOldChevy]

View attachment 2134277Highly recommend everyone track and try to increase their heart rate variability. It is directly related to the ability of the brain and heart to handle stress and is a biomarker for autonomic nervous system function. I started working on mine in May and I really feel 3x better day to day. The Apple Watch has been tracking this in the background for as long as you have been wearing it.

Ok, you monitor it, but how do you influence/improve it ?

 

[surfzen21]

View attachment 2134277Highly recommend everyone track and try to increase their heart rate variability. It is directly related to the ability of the brain and heart to handle stress and is a biomarker for autonomic nervous system function. I started working on mine in May and I really feel 3x better day to day. The Apple Watch has been tracking this in the background for as long as you have been wearing it.

I just got a series 8 45 mm (First Apple Watch). There is so much data its wild. Looking forward to tracking my workouts and sleep.

I actually thought the 45mm would be too big but I was wrong. I may return it and get the Ultra. On the fence about that though.

 

[macsplusmacs]

Yah, are they saying that a new app from app would be needed to provide the best input?

this is soo cool.

 

[macsplusmacs]

I just got a series 8 45 mm (First Apple Watch). There is so much data its wild. Looking forward to tracking my workouts and sleep.

I actually thought the 45mm would be too big but I was wrong. I may return it and get the Ultra. On the fence about that though.

Figure out if battery life is good for you with the 45. The ultra's battery life is a game changer for my workflow. worth every penny.

 

[appleguy123]

Ok, you monitor it, but how do you influence/improve it ?

By getting healthier. There are a few things that really affect it disproportionately that are low hanging fruit. Fish oil, vitamin E and antioxidants are examples. But it’s mainly improved by exercise. It’s a direct measure of how well your heart responds to your breathing rhythm (heart is supposed to beat faster when you breathe in and slower when you breathe out, that’s heart rate variability).

 

[cdarlington1]

View attachment 2134277Highly recommend everyone track and try to increase their heart rate variability. It is directly related to the ability of the brain and heart to handle stress and is a biomarker for autonomic nervous system function. I started working on mine in May and I really feel 3x better and more resilient day to day. The Apple Watch has been tracking this in the background for as long as you have been wearing it.

This is one of the most important health metrics it tracks. Another good one related to mental and physical health is “cardio fitness” which is tracked every time you log a walking or running workout. This is a direct measure of how much blood your heart can get to your brain.

Mine has been quite low for a while and I’ve been trying to raise it but it’s stubbornly staying low. What type of things did you do? I’ve done all the usual recommendations.

 

[appleguy123]

Mine has been quite low for a while and I’ve been trying to raise it but it’s stubbornly staying low. What type of things did you do? I’ve done all the usual recommendations.

Are you taking high quality fish oil or eating fatty fish regularly? Fish oil has direct physical effects on the heart’s pacemaker and is one of the most important things for this reflex. Message me because I’m not sure how much medical advice I’m allowed to give in these forums.

 

[Shasterball]

Mine has been quite low for a while and I’ve been trying to raise it but it’s stubbornly staying low. What type of things did you do? I’ve done all the usual recommendations.

I would talk to a doctor, not someone on MacRumors

 

[Unity451]

I'm fairly certain the "Breathe" app has always been able to detect stress. At least for me it sure seems that way sometimes...

 

[cdarlington1]

I would talk to a doctor, not someone on MacRumors

I’ve done that as well and have been working on it. It’s not like mine is going to kill me. His HRV graph is impressive and am looking for additional information. Thanks for your concern.

 

[flofixer]

Are you taking high quality fish oil or eating fatty fish regularly? Fish oil has direct physical effects on the heart’s pacemaker and is one of the most important things for this reflex. Message me because I’m not sure how much medical advice I’m allowed to give in these forums.

I wouldn't think there are any restrictions on giving advice on over the counter supplements. I'm not sure if you are aware of some research published last year showing that taking more than one gram of fish oil (omega-3 supplement) daily actually significantly increases the risk for atrial fibrillation.

 

[Y014951]

View attachment 2134277Highly recommend everyone track and try to increase their heart rate variability. It is directly related to the ability of the brain and heart to handle stress and is a biomarker for autonomic nervous system function. I started working on mine in May and I really feel 3x better and more resilient day to day. The Apple Watch has been tracking this in the background for as long as you have been wearing it. You can take in the moment HRV measures (which is very similar to what this study did) by using the breath app and then checking the health app.

This is one of the most important health metrics it tracks. Another good one related to mental and physical health is “cardio fitness” which is tracked every time you log a walking or running workout. This is a direct measure of how much blood your heart can get to your brain.

May I ask, how did you improve you hrv that much? What kind of workout would you recommend?

 

[ponzicoinbro]

I'm getting too old to feel stress. I'm just like 'Oh app crashed. Oh back hurts. Oh people are fighting again'.

 

[surfzen21]

Figure out if battery life is good for you with the 45. The ultra's battery life is a game changer for my workflow. worth every penny.

It was draining a bit fast at first. I think there was a lot of new background stuff going on. I switched some settings and now it seems to drain much slower. It only dropped 10% overnight with sleep tracking.

Double the 8's battery life would be amazing though. Really I just like the way the Ultra looks. I prefer the squared off screen instead of the curved one on the 8. Plus I think Id actually use it when Im surfing which I wont do with the 8.

 

[appleguy123]

May I ask, how did you improve you hrv that much? What kind of workout would you recommend?

My specific HRV routine. You can see my results because I researched this extensively but its definitely not medical advice.

-3-5g fish oil with at least 200IU vitamin E. Taken with food each day.

-Walking/Running for 1 hour every day (I only started this in September you can see how it really helped HRV, but it’s not the whole picture). I just try to spend 11-20 minutes per day in the max heart rate zone.

-Reduce intake of caffeine and other stimulant drugs that increase the heart rate.

-Increase intake of antioxidant foods.

-Be diligent about mindfulness. You don’t need an app necessarily but I used Headspace. Making sure you aren’t constantly bogged down by negative thoughts is very important for this reflex and for life itself.

 

[jz0309]

Interesting, was Apple involved in that study? AW collects a lot of data and useful information has to be there, need to get to that info though, info “for dummies” like… and healthcare providers aren’t there yet…

 

[Sir_Macs_A_Lot]

I was always told to bottle it up and hide it. Hope Apple Watch can look that deep. 😀

 

[glindon]

Ok, you monitor it, but how do you influence/improve it ?

Lots of steady state cardio everyday (brisk walks or bike in zone 2) and a healthy body weight for starters. Then you also want to get at least 30 minutes per week high intensity zone 3-5. How much exercise really depends on age. For instance, in your 20’s you can get by with 4 hours per month exercise. Over 40, to be as fit as someone who is 20 (keeping a high VO2 Max) you need 40 hours or more per month. I was able to improve mine considerably at age 42. But I average 17000 steps everyday and every other day I do 30 minutes high intensity calisthenics strength training. On average I exercise 2 hours every day, 60 hours each month.

 

[satchmo]

Competing devices from Samsung, Fitbit, and Garmin have offered a stress score feature for some time, but Apple has yet to implement such a feature in its Health app.​

I think we know what one of the features in watchOS 10 is going to be.

 

[appleguy123]

Lots of steady state cardio everyday (brisk walks or bike in zone 2) and a healthy body weight for starters. Then you also want to get at least 30 minutes per week high intensity zone 3-5. How much exercise really depends on age. For instance, in your 20’s you can get by with 4 hours per month exercise. Over 40, to be as fit as someone who is 20 (keeping a high VO2 Max) you need 40 hours or more per month. I was able to improve mine considerably at age 42. But I average 17000 steps everyday and every other day I do 30 minutes high intensity calisthenics strength training. On average I exercise 2 hours every day, 60 hours each month.

Do you have an Apple Watch? What is your HRV if you don’t mind sharing?

 

[usmaak]

Cool. Technology to tell me what I already know I am feeling. 😂