Sleep Apnea / CPAPs

The Apple Watch’s new sleep breathing disturbance detection feature is generating buzz in the health and tech communities. We know that snoring and sleep disturbances may indicate sleep apnea, which are known to have serious long-term effects on overall health, from increasing the risk of heart disease to contributing to fatigue and poor mental health.

The excitement around this feature is warranted - there are BILLIONS of people across the globe who suffer from sleep apnea. 80-90% of people who have it do not even have a diagnosis! This is a great way to self-screen and use the information to speak to a doctor about getting tested. Teresa from Sleep Better NYC can get you a sleep test in the comfort of your own home! But first, let's talk about the watch.

How does it know?

At the core of this feature is accelerometry—a sensor that measures motion. Typically used to track steps and other physical activity, accelerometry is now being repurposed to monitor sleep patterns. In the context of sleep, small movements, such as those caused by breathing irregularities, can signal disturbances like sleep apnea. These movements are often so slight that the wearer may not even notice them. However, accelerometers are sensitive enough to capture these tiny disruptions.

By analyzing patterns in these movements, the Apple Watch can flag potential sleep disturbances, providing users with valuable, objective insights into their sleep quality. Keep in mind, this is not a medical device and it does not give a diagnosis of sleep apnea (or any medical condition). However, by collecting data automatically overnight, this feature may help users identify signs of a sleep disorder, prompting them to seek medical advice or further testing. If you see signs of sleep apnea, you can get a sleep test sent right to your home (you might not have to sleep overnight in a lab)!

What about Blood Oxygen Levels?

One of the more obvious methods for detecting sleep-related breathing issues like sleep apnea is pulse oximetry—the measurement of oxygen levels in the blood. A significant drop in blood oxygen saturation during sleep can indicate an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) event. However, Apple has faced hurdles incorporating this into the Watch’s sleep breathing disturbance detection feature.

The reason behind the absence of pulse oximetry for this particular function lies in patents held by Masimo, a company specializing in non-invasive monitoring technologies. Masimo has patents that cover certain pulse oximetry technologies, effectively barring Apple from using this method without obtaining a license. As a result, Apple has relied on accelerometry, avoiding legal complications while still offering a feature that provides valuable sleep insights, albeit through a different method.

A Step Forward in Sleep Health Awareness

The new Apple Watch feature represents an exciting intersection of consumer technology and health. While medical-grade sleep studies remain the gold standard for diagnosing conditions like sleep apnea, having a tool on your wrist that can alert you to potential sleep issues is a game-changer for many people. With sleep disturbances being linked to various health problems, the ability to monitor them easily could lead to earlier interventions and better health outcomes.

We might see more people wearing these for their own health, and recommending them / buying as gifts for those they love! What do you think?

--Teresa

Teresa Power BS CCSH

Founder, Sleep Coach

Sleep Better NYC