Apnea detector could be a lifesaver for millions of undiagnosed people
Samsung has announced an achievement in its line of Galaxy Watch smartwatches. On February 9, it was announced that the watch had received approval from the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to detect sleep apnea. This is a significant step in the smartwatch space, where health and fitness are becoming the main focus of development.
In recent years, manufacturers have focused on monitoring the heart and blood oxygen levels. However, one of the most discussed topics – the possibility of non-invasive monitoring of glucose levels. This could revolutionize the lives of millions of people suffering from diabetes. According to the National Council on Aging, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common problem. In the USA, for example, about 39 million people suffer from this disease, and worldwide this number reaches 936 million.
However, most people with this disease are unaware of their diagnosis. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine estimates that about 80% of OSA sufferers are unaware of their problem. Obstructive sleep apnea means that the upper airway becomes blocked during sleep, limiting normal breathing. This may increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart and kidney failure, high blood pressure, stroke and other health problems.
According to Samsung, the new sleep apnea detection feature will allow watch users over 22 years of age to detect signs of obstructive sleep apnea over two nights. It is a common and chronic sleep condition that often goes undiagnosed and untreated. To use this feature, users will simply have to track their sleep twice for four hours for ten days.
Galaxy Watch is not the first product to offer sleep apnea tracking. Previously, the Withings company presented a sleeping mat with this functionality, and at the beginning of the pandemic, the French company Withings also announced the release of a watch with a similar feature.