Sleep apnea detection receives approval in Canada [watchOS 11] › Macerkopf

Many health authorities around the world have already approved sleep apnea detection for newer Apple Watch models. As MacRumors reports, Health Canada has now also given the green light to Apple’s sleep apnea detection.

Canadian health regulator approves sleep apnea detection

Apple introduced the sleep apnea detection feature with the release of watchOS 11 for the Apple Watch Series 10, Series 9 and Ultra 2. The Cupertino-based company was able to obtain approval from over 150 health authorities just in time for the release of the major Apple Watch update.

Approval from the health authority in Canada was still pending, but was subsequently obtained. This week, Health Canada approved the watchOS 11 sleep apnea detection feature on compatible Apple Watch models.

Although the feature has been approved by Health Canada, Apple has not yet announced when it will be available to Canadian users. The schedule for the introduction of the function in Canada remains unclear for the time being.

Sleep apnea detection with the Apple Watch

The sleep apnea detection feature uses Apple Watch’s accelerometer to monitor subtle wrist movements that are associated with irregular breathing patterns during sleep. Over a 30-day period, Apple Watch data was collected and analyzed to identify consistent signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea. Users can view their results in the Health app.

Apple developed the feature using advanced machine learning methods and a comprehensive data set of clinical sleep apnea tests. To validate the algorithm, the company conducted a clinical study that showed that the function could detect all participants who actually had sleep apnea.

With sleep apnea, breathing stops briefly during sleep, so that the body is no longer supplied with enough oxygen and the affected person often wakes up. Diagnosis can also prove difficult because it occurs during sleep.