How Smartwatches and Wearables Screen for Sleep Apnea

Smartwatches can now help screen for sleep apnea, a condition that disrupts breathing during sleep. But they don’t diagnose it. Instead, these devices alert users to signs that might need medical attention.

Samsung led the way by getting a special FDA clearance called De Novo authorization in 2024 for its sleep apnea screening feature. This feature works on the Galaxy Watch 4 and newer models. Users need to wear the watch while sleeping at least four hours a night for it to work.

Apple followed a few months later, receiving FDA clearance (510k) for its sleep apnea notification feature. It is available on the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and 3, and Apple Watch SE 3. Like Samsung, Apple’s feature can only screen, not diagnose, sleep apnea.

How These Features Work Together

Samsung’s sleep apnea screening requires a Galaxy phone with the Samsung Health Monitor app installed. The watch tracks breathing patterns during sleep and looks for irregularities. If it detects signs of sleep apnea, it sends a notification to the user.

Apple’s watches use sensors to monitor sleep and breathing patterns. They then analyze the data to identify possible breathing disturbances. If the watch spots something unusual, it alerts the wearer to consider a professional sleep study.

Other Wearables and Sleep Apnea Detection

Withings’ ScanWatch got FDA clearance back in 2021 to track breathing disturbances during sleep. It was one of the first wearable devices to receive such approval. This shows that interest in wearable sleep apnea detection has been growing for years.

The Oura Ring also tracks metrics related to sleep apnea, such as heart rate variability and respiratory rate. It uses algorithms that analyze heart rate, body temperature, and movement to assess sleep quality and disturbances. However, its effectiveness in detecting sleep apnea is still under investigation.

These devices help people monitor their sleep health daily. They offer early warnings that could lead to a proper diagnosis and treatment. But none replace a full medical evaluation or sleep study done by professionals.

Smartwatches and wearables are becoming useful tools in spotting potential sleep issues. They make it easier for people to notice warning signs early. That could lead to better sleep and better health in the long run.