Apple has introduced a new feature to the Apple Watch Series 10 called Breathing Disturbances. This feature uses the watch’s accelerometer to detect subtle wrist movements that indicate interruptions in normal breathing patterns during sleep
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With each iteration of its Watch Series, Apple is diving deeper into healthcare. Its latest offering, the Watch Series 10 brings a rather unique feature that will prove to be beneficial for a majority of the people. We are of course, speaking of the Apple Watch Series 10’s Sleep Apnea detection feature.
Sleep apnea, a condition affecting over one billion people globally, poses significant health risks including diminished cardiac function, a heightened likelihood of diabetes, and a generally reduced quality of life. The latest update to the Apple Watch aims to address this pressing issue with a notable upgrade in its ecosystem.
Sleep apnea is a common yet often undiagnosed disorder characterised by repeated interruptions in breathing or excessively shallow breaths during sleep. There are two primary types: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA).
OSA occurs when the airway is blocked due to factors such as obesity, sleeping on one’s back, a narrow airway, allergies, or enlarged tonsils. CSA, on the other hand, happens when the brain fails to control breathing effectively, potentially causing missed sleep cycles.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious complications including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and heart issues. It also contributes to excessive daytime drowsiness, which can slow reaction times and increase the risk of accidents and falls.
Traditionally, diagnosing sleep apnea involves undergoing a sleep study, which requires spending a night in a clinic under professional observation. This process can be both inconvenient and costly, often exceeding $1,000 and frequently not covered by insurance.
In response to these challenges, Apple has introduced a new feature to the Apple Watch called Breathing Disturbances. This feature uses the watch’s accelerometer to detect subtle wrist movements that indicate interruptions in normal breathing patterns during sleep.
Every 30 days, the Apple Watch will analyse this data and notify users if it detects consistent signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea. This allows individuals to consult with their healthcare provider and develop a treatment plan.
The algorithm behind this sleep apnea detection feature has been developed using advanced machine learning techniques and a comprehensive dataset of clinical-grade sleep apnea tests. This feature has undergone validation in a clinical study, which confirmed that the algorithm accurately identified participants with at least mild sleep apnea.
This sleep apnea detection capability will be available on the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2. It is set to be rolled out in September across more than 150 countries. Researchers have been exploring the use of the Apple Watch for detecting sleep apnea for nearly a decade, and this latest upgrade represents a significant advancement in wearable health technology.