Can smart watches track sleep apnea?

Wearable sleep tracking devices are revolutionizing the way we observe and treat chronic sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. Gone are the days when you had to spend the night in a lab to know what your sleeping heart rate was. Today, you can track that and much more (as well as the time) with a smart watch. From counting steps to tracking important vital signs, these little gadgets can do quite a lot. With nearly 1 billion people suffering from sleep apnea worldwide, doctors and patients alike are curious to know how this new technology can advance the study and treatment of medical conditions. So, can smart watches track sleep apnea?

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a chronic sleep disorder that causes repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), in which a physical blockage of the airway stops breathing during the night, leading to hypoxia, nocturia, loud snoring, insomnia, and daytime fatigue. Sleep apnea is more than just a bad night’s sleep. It can disrupt daily life and even lead to more serious medical issues down the line. Sleep apnea can be diagnosed and tracked using a range of biological metrics, the most important being AHI (apnea hypopnea index), which is the number of times per hour you stop breathing during the night. However, other factors like brain activity, oxygen levels, muscle movement, and more are also important to track when observing sleep apnea. 

Use our calculator to estimate your AHI based on sleep study data or monitoring results.

What can smart watches track?

You may think smart watches are designed to count steps, log workouts, or monitor heart rate during exercise, but they can actually be used for much more than fitness tracking. Sleep tracking is also one of the main uses of smartwatch technology, as they can give valuable feedback on vital signs without having to undergo a clinical sleep test. Smart watches are relatively affordable, convenient, and comfortable when compared to a lab polysomnography or even a home sleep apnea test. So, what can they track?

• Heart rate - while not directly used to track sleep apnea, your heart rate is an important physiological indicator of health.

• Blood oxygen - smart watches can also perform oximetry and measure your oxygen levels during sleep. This allows them to detect apnea events with accuracy on par with clinical polysomnography.

• Sleep quality - Some models can even track the quality of your sleep with nearly 100% accuracy.

• Electrocardio data - an electrocardiogram is one of the most advanced functions some smart watches are capable of. ECGs monitor the heart’s electric activity and can even detect atrial fibrillation, one of the possible long-term effects of sleep apnea.

As you can see, smart watches are a great resource for people struggling with sleep apnea. While they aren’t comprehensive enough to give you a diagnosis, they can help you understand and track your symptoms, and can also be used to monitor progress once treatment has begun. For patients looking for an accessible, discreet wearable to add to their sleep apnea arsenal, a smart watch might be perfect!

Wondering if sleep apnea is affecting you? Take a few seconds to check out the Dumbo Health Sleep Quiz, and with a few simple questions, you can begin your treatment journey today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a prescription to use a smart watch for sleep tracking?
No. Smart watches are consumer devices and do not require a prescription. However, formal sleep apnea tests, whether at home or in a clinic, usually need a physician’s order.

Can smart watches detect other health conditions while you sleep?
Yes. Many devices track heart rate variability, irregular rhythms, and oxygen levels, which can provide early warning signs for conditions beyond sleep apnea, though these insights are not diagnostic.

How should I wear a smart watch for the most accurate sleep readings?
For best results, the watch should fit snugly on your non-dominant wrist, with the sensor in full contact with the skin. Loose straps, tattoos, or poor circulation can interfere with readings.

Are there privacy concerns with using a smart watch for sleep monitoring?
Yes. Some devices upload health data to cloud platforms, raising questions about how your information is stored and shared. Reviewing privacy policies before use is recommended.

If my smart watch suggests I may have sleep apnea, what should I do next?
Bring the data to your doctor, who may recommend a clinical evaluation or a formal sleep study. Smartwatch data can guide the conversation, but should not replace medical advice.

Wondering if sleep apnea is affecting you? Take a few seconds to check out the Dumbo Health Sleep Quiz, and with a few simple questions, you can begin your treatment journey today.