Apple Watch users stunned by Vitals app's sickness predictive power

The new watchOS 11 update has some seriously impressive new features, the main being the Vitals app that has left some Apple Watch users amazed by what it offers. A post on the Apple Watch subreddit has amassed over 1.4k likes and over 150+ comments at the time of writing and has got many users talking about the Vitals app’s ability to predict oncoming sickness even before users even notice any symptoms.

The Vitals app, a feature available on Apple Watch Series 6 and newer models, tracks various health metrics including heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, and sleep duration. It establishes a typical range for each user and sends notifications when multiple metrics fall outside this range. 

One Reddit user shared their experience saying: “I started using Vitals when it first came out on the beta and since then I’ve gotten sick about twice. Both times it knew a couple days in advance and I hadn’t felt anything wrong. Kinda insane how useful this feature can be.”

This sentiment was echoed by several other users, with many expressing surprise at the app’s accuracy. The OP, dalethomas81, noted that the app detected an increase in wrist temperature three days before they felt any symptoms.

Interestingly, the discussion revealed that this feature isn’t exclusive to Apple. Some users reported similar experiences with Garmin watches. In fact, this isn’t even something entirely new. Back in 2020, a fitness enthusiast highlighted how their Garmin watch predicted the Flu, suggesting that wearable technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated in health monitoring.

However, the functionality does come with some caveats. Users need to wear their Apple Watch consistently during sleep to get accurate readings. This raised questions about when to charge the device, with many suggesting they charge their watch during morning routines or showers.

The potential implications of this technology are significant. As one user pointed out, early detection could allow people to take preemptive measures such as getting more rest, staying hydrated, or even limiting exposure to others to prevent the spread of illness.

Despite the excitement, some users remain skeptical or haven’t experienced the same level of accuracy. One user reported that the app didn’t predict their recent bout of COVID-19, while others questioned the effectiveness of taking action based on the app’s warnings.

The anecdotal evidence suggests that the Vitals app could be a useful tool for personal health monitoring. Although, you should always take it with a grain of salt and consult a doctor if required. After all, even Apple doesn’t want users to be relying on the Vitals app for medical use.