The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Apple’s new sleep apnea detection feature for use, making it available to Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 users through a software update. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects over 30 million Americans, with only about 6 million diagnosed, leading to potential health issues like fatigue, heart problems, hypertension, and Type 2 diabetes if left untreated.
Dr. Sumbul Desai, Apple’s vice president of health, expressed excitement about the feature’s impact on undiagnosed sleep apnea sufferers. Apple aims to position its wearables as a cost-effective alternative to traditional health-care tests. The sleep disorder market presents a lucrative opportunity for the company.
Typically, patients undergo at-home or in-lab tests for sleep apnea, with in-lab tests costing around $3,000 on average. Apple’s new watch, the Series 10, starts at $399, offering a potentially more accessible option. Dr. David Kuhlmann, a sleep disorders physician, believes Apple’s feature could encourage more patients to seek testing, potentially leading to earlier detection and treatment.
However, Kuhlmann advises caution in interpreting Apple’s data, suggesting users confirm results with healthcare providers for an official diagnosis. The feature’s introduction may increase healthcare visits, ultimately reducing costs for the U.S. healthcare system. Apple’s sleep apnea detection feature analyzes breathing disturbances using wrist movements and notifies users of potential issues.
Users can monitor their metrics in the Health app, with Apple categorizing disturbances as “elevated” or “not elevated.” The Apple Watch Series 10 offers an 18-hour battery life, requiring daily charging for those using the feature. Apple provides users with reports and educational materials to discuss with their doctors, based on three months of breathing disturbance data.
The notification algorithm was developed using clinical-grade sleep apnea tests and validated in a clinical study. Dr. Kuhlmann expressed interest in trying out the feature himself, highlighting the potential impact of early detection and treatment on improving quality of life and reducing healthcare expenses.
