Samsung Galaxy Watch Receives FDA Nod for Sleep Apnea Detection

What You Should Know:

– Samsung’s Galaxy Watch has received De Novo authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its sleep apnea detection feature.

– This marks a significant step forward in wearable technology, making it the first of its kind to be approved by the FDA for detecting potential sleep apnea.

Defining Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common and chronic sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This can lead to disruptions in oxygen supply, lower sleep quality, and daytime fatigue. Untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart failure and stroke.

How The Sleep Apnea Feature Works

The sleep apnea feature on the Samsung Galaxy Watch uses built-in sensors to monitor your sleep patterns, including blood oxygen levels. By analyzing this data over a two-night period, the watch can detect signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It’s important to note that this feature does not diagnose sleep apnea and is intended for people over 22 who have not been previously diagnosed. If the feature detects potential signs of OSA, it encourages users to seek professional medical evaluation.This new feature on the Galaxy Watch could help identify potential cases earlier, allowing individuals to seek treatment and potentially improve their overall health.

Availability

The sleep apnea feature will be available on the Galaxy Watch series in the US via the Samsung Health Monitor app in the third quarter of 2024.