Samsung Galaxy Watch Receives FDA Clearance for Sleep Apnea Detection Feature
Health and fitness tracking have become increasingly popular in the world of smart wearables, and Samsung has just made a major breakthrough in this field. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized a sleep apnea detection feature on the Samsung Galaxy Watch, marking the first time such a feature has been approved for a smartwatch.
According to a press release, this groundbreaking feature will be available on the Galaxy Watch series by the third quarter of this year. It will be capable of detecting signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea by tracking a wearer’s sleep patterns over a 10-day window, with each tracking session lasting more than four hours. The feature is specifically designed for users aged 22 or older who have not yet been diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by breathing difficulties during sleep, leading to a drop in blood oxygen levels. By monitoring blood oxygen levels, the Galaxy Watch can identify patterns of drops and notify the user through the Samsung Health Monitor app, which is exclusively available on Samsung phones.
Samsung emphasizes that sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed and untreated in its early stages. With this new feature, the company aims to enable more people to proactively recognize symptoms of the condition, facilitating earlier diagnosis and reducing the risk of health-related complications.
While some doctors have expressed concerns about the reliability of smartphones and watches in detecting sleep apnea, manufacturers like Apple and Fitbit have also attempted to incorporate similar features into their devices. Apple is reportedly working on its own sleep apnea detection feature, but it has not yet received FDA clearance.
Samsung does provide a few warnings regarding the use of this new feature. It should not be used as a substitute for traditional methods of diagnosis and treatment by qualified clinicians. Additionally, the data provided by the Galaxy Watch is not intended to assist doctors in diagnosing sleep disorders.
Furthermore, due to market restrictions surrounding medical device registration, the availability of sleep apnea detection may be limited if the user travels to a market where the watch has not been cleared as a medical device.
Sleep apnea detection is just one of several health-related tracking features offered by the Galaxy Watch. Other features include blood pressure monitoring, electrocardiogram detection, and irregular heart rhythm notification.
With the FDA clearance for its sleep apnea detection feature, Samsung has taken a significant step forward in the world of smart wearables. As more and more people prioritize their health and well-being, the integration of advanced health tracking capabilities into smartwatches is becoming increasingly important. The Samsung Galaxy Watch is now at the forefront of this trend, providing users with valuable insights into their sleep patterns and potentially helping them identify and address sleep apnea at an early stage.