Apple Watch sleep apnea detection likely uses peripheral arterial tone (PAT)
The upcoming Apple Watch will feature sleep apnea detection using heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and snoring, employing algorithms based on peripheral arterial tone and cardiovascular signals for assessment.
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The upcoming Apple Watch will feature sleep apnea detection capabilities, building on research conducted in 2017 that utilized deep neural networks for this purpose. Sleep apnea, characterized by interruptions in breathing during sleep, can lead to decreased blood oxygen levels and is often undiagnosed, affecting around 80% of those with the condition. Traditional sleep apnea tests monitor multiple physiological signals, but the Apple Watch will primarily rely on three: heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and snoring. It employs two key techniques for detection: peripheral arterial tone (PAT) and cardiovascular signals. PAT measures variations in arterial volume linked to the autonomic nervous system, which responds to apnea events by altering heart rate and arterial tension. The FDA has previously approved devices using PAT for sleep apnea testing, paving the way for consumer wearables to adopt similar algorithms. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) quantifies the severity of sleep apnea, with different ranges indicating low to high severity. The ability to detect sleep apnea through the Apple Watch could significantly impact public health, as undiagnosed cases lead to substantial healthcare costs. Users alerted to potential sleep apnea should consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and possible at-home testing.
- The Apple Watch will utilize advanced algorithms to detect sleep apnea.
- Sleep apnea is often undiagnosed, affecting millions and leading to high healthcare costs.
- Detection methods include peripheral arterial tone and cardiovascular signals.
- The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is used to assess the severity of sleep apnea.
- Users should seek medical advice if alerted to potential sleep apnea by their device.
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- Many users express concerns about the accuracy of sleep apnea detection without a pulse oximeter.
- There is a desire for more accessible and affordable sleep apnea solutions, with suggestions for consumer-friendly devices.
- Some commenters highlight the potential for increased awareness and detection of sleep apnea through the Apple Watch.
- Questions arise about the regulatory status and approval of the new feature.
- Users share personal experiences with sleep apnea testing, indicating a need for reliable diagnostics.
13 comments1. Yes, we should regulate manufacturers intensely.
2. No, we shouldn't regulate to whom companies should be allowed to sell them. The defaults are good enough for most. Provide an easy to use control for max pressure and people will figure it out. Perhaps a knob?
I claim: During the past decade, the risk of being maltreated by a personally set-up CPAP unit has been far, far smaller than the risk of not being treated at all. (Ways to access these menus have been been shared online for 10+ years, many use them.)
I wonder how many premature deaths happen every year because of this - including secondary victims from traffic accidents.
These things should be $500 mass-market consumer units that you pick up at Target, Walmart, etc.
But gosh, I hope this is accurate across the Watch's wide user base.
I wouldn't say it's likely, but I do wonder if the pulse oximeter is being used surreptitiously. In any case, if you could use the pulse oximeter, this functionality would immediately become much more powerful.
Anyone know why that isn’t the method?
What do they mean by "wasted medical spend" here?
(1) Patients incorrectly spending money on a misdiagnosis, or (2) apnea solution providers not making money off people when they could?
Reserving it to Series 10 and 9 really exposes their lack of hardware innovation. I mean, we were talking about them measuring glucose levels for years and this is what we get as a new flagship feature?
I then used an at home sleep study that came back negative.
I have no idea how some people can charge their smartwatch 1 or more times a day.
Little unclear on macrumors.
Internet Archive has it: https://archive.org/details/b28114450
Also look into "mouth taping".
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