A wake-up call for sleep health - the role of smartwatches in diagnosing sleep disorders

Sleep apnoea is one of the most common and most underdiagnosed sleep disorders in Australia. Characterised by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, it affects around 20% of the population, with around one in four men over the age of 30 having it to some degree.

This silent health issue can have serious consequences. Untreated sleep apnoea is associated with a number of serious health risks like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression. Risk factors include being male, over the age of 30, having a narrow airway, being overweight, smoking, and consuming alcohol – all of which can contribute to the airway collapsing during sleep.

Despite the long-term implications of untreated sleep apnoea, lack of awareness remains the greatest barrier to treatment. It is estimated that 80% of affected adults are unaware of their condition.  However, recent developments in wearable technology are beginning to shine a light on this silent health issue. With Apple and Samsung now introducing sleep apnoea detection features in their smartwatches, consumers are gaining new tools to better understand their sleep health. While these innovations are exciting, they also raise an important question regarding how far everyday consumer technology can go in detecting a medical condition like sleep apnoea.

Smartwatches step into sleep health

In 2024, Apple announced that its Apple Watch would begin offering sleep apnoea notifications using a new "Breathing Disturbances" metric. This feature, available in over 150 countries, aims to alert users to signs of potential sleep apnoea, encouraging them to seek professional evaluation. Similarly, Samsung's Galaxy Watch now includes a sleep apnoea detection feature that has received regulatory approval in several countries, including Australia and the US. Developed in collaboration with Stanford Medicine, Samsung's tool monitors for signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and is part of a broader push to integrate AI into daily health monitoring.

These features represent a significant step forward in consumer health technology driving broader awareness and empowering users to take a more active role in their wellbeing and may help prompt earlier conversations with healthcare providers. 

However, it's crucial to understand that these tools are not diagnostic devices. They are designed to raise awareness, not replace a clinical diagnosis. They do not meet the clinical standards (accuracy, specificity, sensitivity) of validated diagnostic tools like polysomnography or home sleep apnoea tests.

Why a professional diagnosis still matters

Sleep apnoea is a complex medical condition that requires a comprehensive evaluation. A formal diagnosis typically involves an overnight sleep study, either in a lab or at home, where a range of physiological signals including airflow, respiratory effort, oxygen levels, brain activity, and heart rate are monitored. This level of detail is essential to accurately determine the severity of the condition, to validate other complications and to tailor the appropriate treatment.

While smartwatches can detect patterns that suggest disrupted breathing, they cannot capture the full picture. Relying solely on wearable alerts could lead to false reassurance or unnecessary anxiety. That's why any indication of sleep apnoea from a smartwatch should be followed up with a consultation with a sleep specialist.

Technology's role in treating the condition

The use of technology goes beyond initial detection and formal diagnosis. 

Once diagnosed, the gold-standard treatment for OSA is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. CPAP machines work by delivering a steady stream of air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep. This non-invasive therapy can dramatically improve sleep quality, energy levels, and overall health.

Despite CPAP's proven benefits, adherence remains a major challenge. Studies suggest that as many as 40–60% of people either give up on CPAP therapy or don't use it consistently enough to see meaningful health benefits. This underlines the importance of making therapy easier, more personalised, and more engaging for patients from the very start.

Today's smart CPAP devices, such as the Philips DreamStation, use advanced pressure-adjusting algorithms and user-friendly designs to maximise comfort and make it easier for people to ease into therapy and remain on treatment in the long term.

When combined with mobile apps like Philips DreamMapper, which provides nightly usage stats, mask fit feedback, and progress tracking, patients are more likely to stay motivated. In fact, Philips research found DreamMapper users were 22% more likely to maintain therapy compared to those without it, thanks to the real-time insights and positive reinforcement the app offers. By celebrating milestones and visualising progress, patients are empowered to actively engage with their care, turning passive compliance into motivated ownership.

Personalisation also matters when it comes to mask fit. An ill-fitting mask can quickly derail therapy, which is why Philips offers mask guidance tools to help users find the most suitable mask to fit their unique needs.

Ultimately, CPAP is not a "set and forget solution". Ongoing support from a healthcare team is key. A connected care ecosystem underpinned by remote monitoring platforms such as Care Orchestrator enables care teams to proactively support their patients when needed. These platforms provide full visibility into patient data allowing them to monitor therapy, troubleshoot issues and optimise outcomes without delay – creating an integrated, closed-loop model of care that supports patients continuously through their treatment journey. 

A promising future for sleep disorders

The integration of sleep apnoea detection into consumer wearables is a welcome development. It raises awareness, encourages proactive health management, and may help reduce the number of undiagnosed cases. But it's important to remember that these tools are just the beginning of the journey.

By combining the convenience of smart technology with the expertise of healthcare professionals and the proven effectiveness of CPAP therapy, we can ensure that more people get the help they need for better sleep and better health.