Apple Watch has a new feature approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today: sleep apnea detection. This feature is designed to help users identify possible signs of this sleep disorder early.
Sleep apnea is a common but often unrecognized sleep disorder. It causes sufferers to have short pauses in breathing during sleep, which can lead to health problems in the long term. The Apple Watch uses an accelerometer to register movements on the wrist. These movements are an indicator of irregular breathing. If these breathing disorders occur more frequently, it could indicate sleep apnea.
- Sensor-based monitoring: The Apple Watch detects the smallest movements that indicate breathing problems.
- Data in the Health app: Your nighttime breathing patterns are displayed in the Health app on your iPhone and classified as “elevated” or “not elevated.”
Benefits of the new feature
The FDA approval showsthat the new sleep apnea detection is reliable. It is primarily intended for people who have not yet been diagnosed with sleep apnea. This allows you to recognize possible signs of the disorder and see a doctor early if necessary.
- Early detection: This function is aimed at people aged 18 and over who have not yet been diagnosed.
- Easy to use: You simply wear your Apple Watch as usual while you sleep and it records the relevant data.
Availability and models
Sleep apnea detection will likely be available today with watchOS 11 on the Apple Watch Series 10, Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2. The update will be available in the U.S. and over 150 other countries, including here.
Sleep Apnea Detection with Apple Watch: A Simple Solution for Better Sleep Monitoring
The new sleep apnea detection feature on the Apple Watch gives you an easy way to monitor your sleep health. By detecting breathing disorders early, you can minimize health risks. If you have a newer Apple Watch model, you will soon be able to use this feature to analyze your sleep more closely and keep an eye on any possible abnormalities. (Image: Apple)