Galaxy Watch: Samsung brings sleep apnea detection to Germany
Samsung's Galaxy Watches have received support for sleep apnea detection in Germany and other countries.
Samsung's Galaxy Watch also supports sleep apnea detection in Germany.
(Image: Samsung)
Samsung's Galaxy Watches have been given a new health function: After some Galaxy Watch models in the USA already received sleep apnea detection at the end of 2024, it is now Europe's turn. The manufacturer is thus adding another health function to its smartwatches, which is designed to detect breathing regulation disorders during sleep, as Samsung writes in of an announcement.
Samsung: Sleep apnea detection from the Galaxy Watch 4 onwards
Similar to the USA, certification is required for some health functions in Europe. Samsung has now received this certificate: The CE marking (Conformité Européenne or European Conformity) confirms that Samsung meets the health, safety and environmental protection standards of the European Union; the regulatory authorities in Australia (TGA) and Singapore (HSA) have also approved the function.
However, not all Galaxy Watch models are equipped with sleep apnea detection. According to Samsung, it is available from the Watch 4 series and newer. Interested parties can activate it if they have Wear OS 5.0 or a newer software version installed on the Galaxy Watch. The function also requires pairing with a Galaxy smartphone running Android 12 or newer.
According to the manufacturer, the function is provided by the Samsung Health Monitor app. It currently already offers ECG and blood pressure measurement.
Function is designed to detect moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea
The use of sleep apnoea detection is subject to certain requirements: People must be at least 22 years old and must not have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Samsung also states that the function should “detect signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in the form of significant breathing interruptions over a monitoring period of two nights”.
Samsung also points out that the procedure is not intended to replace or supplement existing treatments for sleep apnea. Furthermore, the data may not be used for clinical diagnoses.
The Galaxy Watch's sleep apnea detection uses the integrated “BioActive Sensor” to measure blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂) during sleep. Changes in SpO₂ values are analyzed in connection with apnea and hypopnea patterns. Based on the values, the watch estimates the apnea-hypopnea index to inform users about possible symptoms, explains the manufacturer.
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What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnoea syndrome (SAS) is a condition that is more than just snoring. Mild apnoea leads to occasional breathing interruptions, while in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSA) these interruptions are more frequent and more severe. Thereby the pulse and blood pressure drop as well as the oxygen supply.
The consequences include disturbed sleep phases so that sleep is no longer restful. According to a study in the German Medical Journal, around 30 percent of men and 13 percent of women in Germany suffered from obstructive sleep apnea in 2021.
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