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How Apple Watch sleep apnea detection works in watchOS 11

Following FDA approval, Apple will shortly launch its sleep apnea detection feature for the Apple Watch, and has now published a health paper detailing its development and verification.

iPhone and Apple Watch displaying notifications about possible sleep apnea, including a recommendation to discuss with a doctor and export breathing disturbance data.
Apple Watch is gaining sleep apnea detection

Announced as one of Apple’s major new health features — alongside hearing health — at the “It’s Glowtime” event, Apple Watch sleep apnea detection required FDA approval. The Food and Drug Administration has now granted approval, and the feature will be rolling out to at least the US presently. Apple has now also released a 10-page report on the feature, called “Estimating Breathing Disturbances and Sleep Apnea Risk from Apple Watch.”

The document is not attributed to any authors, but otherwise is a regular academic filing on how the feature works. It also specifically details how Apple’s research was validated by the wider health community.

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