Samsung Galaxy watches get sleep apnea detection
The new function will be available to Samsung Galaxy watches as early as next year in South Korea, given that the company has received approval for it from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). Thus, the Galaxy Watch5 and Watch6 series devices will have, among other things, sleep apnea detection in the Samsung Health application.
The company says the new feature provides users with a simple and proactive tool to identify the disorder “at the earliest possible stages”, before their condition worsens.
Those who will have smart watches of the mentioned series will be able to notice intrusive symptoms of sleep apnea in the early stages, and the devices will warn them to seek medical help, the company claims.
Galaxy watches with BioActive sensors will be able to monitor the level of oxygen in the blood during sleep and then analyze the obtained results. They should thus analyze how the detected blood oxygen values change in apnea/hypopnea and provide an estimated apnea-hypopnea index (AHI).
ShutterstockThe new feature will require two sleep tracking sessions with more than four hours of data for the watch to assess whether its wearer has symptoms of this sleep disorder.
Sleep apnea is a common health problem worldwide, and it is experienced by people who stop breathing during sleep, which can lead to lower levels of oxygen in the body and other health complications such as hypertension, heart disorders, stroke, and more.
It is currently unclear whether the watches will get sleep apnea detection in other markets or if the feature will be limited to South Korea only, as in this case there are some country-by-country restrictions.