Wearable derived cardiovascular responses to stressors in free-living conditions

Stress contributes to the progression of many diseases. Despite stress’ contribution towards disease, few methods for continuously measuring stress exist. We investigated if continuously measured cardiovascular signals from a wearable device can be used as markers of stress. Using wearable technology (WHOOP Inc, Boston, MA) that continuously measures and calculates heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (root-mean-square of successive differences; HRV), we assessed duration and magnitude of deviations in HR and HRV around the time of a run (from 23665 runs) or high-stress work (from 8928 high-stress work events) in free-living conditions. HR and HRV were assessed only when participants were motionless (HR(motionless)). Runs were grouped into light, moderate, and vigorous runs to determine dose response relationships. When examining HR(motionless) and HRV throughout the day, we found that these metrics display circadian rhythms; therefore, we normalized HR(motionless) and HRV measures for each participant relative to the time of day. Relative to the period within 30 minutes leading up to a run, HR(motionless) is elevated for up to 180–210 minutes following a moderate or vigorous run (P<0.05) and is unchanged or reduced following a light run. HRV is reduced for at least 300 minutes following a moderate or vigorous run (P<0.05) and is unchanged during a light run. Relative to the period within 30 minutes leading up to high-stress work, HR(motionless) is elevated during and for up to 30 minutes following high-stress work. HRV tends to be lower during high-stress work (P = 0.06) and is significantly lower 90–300 minutes after the end of the activity (P<0.05). These results demonstrate that wearables can quantify stressful events, which may be used to provide feedback to help individuals manage stress.