Key Takeaways:
- It’s important for people to realize that sleep is just as important as diet and exercise in terms of overall health and wellness.
- Disorders like sleep apnea can affect your sleep, health, and well-being without you even knowing it.
- A smartwatch with sleep apnea detection can be a handy and effective tool for finding out if you have sleep apnea symptoms. Learn more here.
Your Smartwatch Detected Sleep Apnea. Now What?
Smartwatches help us with our daily health in real-time monitoring, and that includes sleep health. If your smartwatch indicates that sleep apnea may be a problem, it is time to get a professional diagnosis to confirm.
You can speak to your doctor about the detection. Most healthcare professionals will recommend either an in-lab sleep study or a home sleep apnea test. Home sleep apnea testing is accurate and easy for most types of sleep apnea patients.
You can schedule the home test on your own time in the comfort of your own home. Test results are shared with a sleep specialist who will determine if you have sleep apnea.
Why Sleep Apnea Matters More Than Ever?
Approximately 39 million U.S. adults have obstructive sleep apnea. Treatment is usually CPAP therapy, which requires a prescription from your doctor or your sleep specialist.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) estimates that as many as 80% of people with OSA are undiagnosed. Left untreated, on-going sleep apnea can have serious health consequences including heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.
The Role of Modern Technology
As the problem continues to grow around the world, major technology companies like Apple and Samsung have stepped up to develop wearable digital devices that can detect sleep apnea. With easier detection, it is more likely that there will be a spike in sleep apnea cases. With more awareness comes more treatment.
Health Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea
Understanding the Impact
Some may see sleep apnea as simply not getting enough sleep. But the impact of sleep deprivation can be harmful to your health.
Sleep apnea reduces oxygen levels to the brain and body. Long-term this affects cardiovascular health, often escalating the risk of heart disease. The brain becomes groggy with sleep loss leading to cognitive dysfunction including memory loss and poor concentration. With compounded health and mental health issues—sleep apnea can dramatically affect your overall quality of life.
Signs and Symptoms
Here are some sleep apnea indicators to be aware of:
- Loud snoring (usually noticed by a bed partner)
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Chronic daytime fatigue
- Morning headaches
Rising Importance of Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
Early Diagnosis Saves Lives
The importance of identifying and treating sleep apnea can help prevent more serious health issues later. Addressing sleep apnea earlier can help prevent more serious health problems as a result of chronic sleep deprivation.
Barriers to Diagnosis
While sleep apnea is easily treated, a continuing number of people do not get diagnosed. Too many people do not understand the seriousness of sleep loss. Some who have received a recommendation from their doctor for an in-lab sleep study may not see the problem as significant and perceive visiting a sleep clinic as an inconvenience.
How Smartwatches Are Shaping Sleep Apnea Detection?
Fortunately, smartwatches have increased awareness of many aspects of personal health including sleep apnea. Product launches such as the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch 7 help drive that attention to sleep apnea and the health problems it can cause.
The ease with which users can monitor their health including heart rate and blood oxygen levels motivates people to pay attention to all aspects of their health, including sleep. Now, people can track their sleep patterns at night simply by wearing their smartwatch. They can gain insight into sleep disruptions that they may not be aware are happening or detect fluctuations in vital signs that indicate sleep apnea.
While not meant for diagnosis, a smartwatch can help put you on track to seeking a professional diagnosis. Your smartwatch may be your first recommendation to take a sleep apnea test.
Can an Apple Watch Detect Sleep Apnea?
The sleep apnea detection capability can be found on Apple Watch Series 10, Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra with watchOS 11. Once FDA approval is received, the goal is to make the feature available on upcoming Apple watch models. This initiative indicates a growing interest in helping all Apple customers become aware of sleep apnea.
Apple Watch Tracking Capabilities
The sleep apnea detection capability can be found on Apple Watch Series 10, Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra with watchOS 11. Once FDA approval is received, the goal is to make the feature available on upcoming Apple watch models. This initiative indicates a growing interest in helping all Apple customers become aware of sleep apnea.
Can a Galaxy Watch Detect Sleep Apnea?
The Galaxy Watch 7 competes with Apple introducing their own sleep apnea detection functionality. Using the Samsung health monitor app, the Galaxy watch tracks sleep over a 10-day period to determine patterns of sleep apnea.
Galaxy Watch 7 Sleep Apnea Features
Much like Apple technology, the Galaxy Watch 7 relies on breath disruption patterns during sleep to detect sleep apnea. The smartwatch not only detects sleep apnea but provides a sleep score to help improve sleep in general. The score acts as motivation for anyone struggling with sleep issues to gamify their problem and improve their score nightly with improved habits.
Apple Watch Series 10 and Galaxy Watch 7: Which is Better for Sleep Apnea Detection?
The Galaxy Watch 7 was first to market with sleep apnea detection technology. While the Apple Watch comes in second place, they have made improvements to their sleep apnea detection by including educational content about sleep apnea with the alert, as well as generating a detailed sleep apnea report that can be shared with a doctor.
Why Smartwatches Aren’t Enough: The Need for Home Sleep Apnea Tests
Smartwatch Limitations
While smartwatches help people realize they may have sleep apnea, the technology does not provide an accurate diagnosis. Consider detection as a helpful guide that encourages you to seek help from medical professionals.
The Role of Home Sleep Apnea Tests
With sleep apnea detection from your smartwatch, the next step can be a comprehensive at-home sleep apnea test. SleepCare Online makes it easy for those who suspect they have sleep apnea to get tested in the comfort of their own homes on their own schedules. Learn more about home sleep apnea tests.
Best Smartwatch for Sleep Apnea: Complementing, Not Replacing, Professional Diagnosis
Choosing the Right Device
More devices are rushing to market with sleep apnea detection features. Here are some helpful tips for selecting a sleep apnea detecting smartwatch.
- Look for a smartwatch that uses other sensory input like snoring detection or blood oxygen levels to detect sleep apnea other than just breathing patterns.
- Smartwatches that guide you with healthy sleep patterns can correct some bad habits that can help with sleep apnea.
- Smartwatches that collect the data into a convenient report are helpful when you visit your doctor.
- Sleep apnea is just one aspect of health that needs monitoring. Check for smartwatches that track vital signs and other important health data for a big picture of your personal health.
While detection is important, acting toward diagnosis is the first step toward treating your sleep apnea.
Much like Apple technology, the Galaxy Watch 7 relies on breath disruption patterns during sleep to detect sleep apnea. The smartwatch not only detects sleep apnea but provides a sleep score to help improve sleep in general. The score acts as motivation for anyone struggling with sleep issues to gamify their problem and improve their score nightly with improved habits.
Professional Diagnosis Is Key
Be sure to follow up with the doctor when you receive sleep apnea alerts on your smartwatch. You can also use sleep apnea home tests as a convenient way to test for sleep apnea accurately on your own.
Limitations
The helpful alert is the first step. No smartwatch, however, can give you a comprehensive diagnosis, provide doctor consultations or prescribe CPAP therapy for your sleep apnea.
Why Choose Sleep Care Online Over Apple or Samsung?
Tech is certainly a healthy step for a growing number of people who may not know they have sleep apnea. But nothing replaces an accurate diagnosis, especially at home.
- Home sleep apnea tests are becoming a more convenient approach to testing versus in-lab sleep studies.
- Sleep specialists can provide prescriptions for CPAP therapy after reviewing test results.
- Patients can also receive follow-up appointments after the home sleep test.
You don’t need a smartwatch to find out if you have sleep apnea. Take the easy and affordable home sleep apnea test at Sleep Care Online.
Why You Should Get Tested Today for Sleep Apnea?
Don’t Wait for Tech Alone
No need to run out and buy a smartwatch to find out if you have sleep apnea. You can determine the signs on your own. If you think sleep apnea is a problem, speak to your doctor for an accurate diagnosis or take a home sleep apnea test.
How to Get Started with a Home Sleep Apnea Test
Home sleep apnea tests can be completed in a few steps.
Step 1: Purchase our Complete Care package and schedule a 10-minute telehealth visit with a healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms, upcoming sleep study, test results, and treatment options.
Step 2: The NightOwl Device, our disposable home sleep apnea test, is mailed to your home for you to complete at your convenience.
Step 3: A sleep practitioner analyzes the sleep data and will provide a prescription if warranted.
Conclusion: The Growing Importance of Sleep Apnea Awareness
Sleep is as important as diet and exercise. Disorders like sleep apnea can affect your sleep, health and well-being without you knowing it. A smartwatch with sleep apnea detection can be a handy and effective tool for finding out if you have the symptoms of sleep apnea. But an accurate diagnosis must come next so you can get the treatment you need for better sleep.
