Samsung Electronics has made a significant breakthrough in sleep health technology with its sleep apnea feature on the Galaxy Watch. This innovative feature has received authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), making it the first of its kind to be approved by the FDA. Previously, the feature was also approved by Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in October last year.
Sleep apnea is a common and chronic sleep condition that often goes undiagnosed and untreated. It is characterized by pauses in breathing while sleeping, resulting in disrupted oxygen supply, decreased sleep quality, and increased daytime fatigue. If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, and stroke.
The sleep apnea feature on the Samsung Health Monitor app allows users over the age of 22, who have not been diagnosed with sleep apnea, to detect signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) over a two-night monitoring period. This feature can be utilized by simply tracking sleep twice for more than four hours within a ten-day period.
According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), approximately 25% of men and 10% of women in the U.S. experience sleep apnea. With the introduction of this new feature, more people will be able to proactively detect moderate or severe forms of OSA. This early detection can prompt users to seek medical care and reduce the possibility of health-related complications.
Samsung understands the fundamental importance of sleep in overall health and well-being. Good sleep is vital for physical and mental recovery, relationships, and performance. To improve sleep health habits, Samsung focuses on three key elements: understanding sleep patterns, building better habits, and creating sleep-friendly environments.
With the sleep apnea feature on the Galaxy Watch, Samsung is taking a significant step forward in providing users with the best possible tools to improve their sleep health. The feature will be available on the Galaxy Watch series in the U.S. via the Samsung Health Monitor app in the third quarter of this year.
It is important to note that the sleep apnea feature is an over-the-counter software-only application that operates on a compatible Samsung Galaxy Watch and phone. It is intended for adult users aged 22 and older who have not been previously diagnosed with sleep apnea. The feature is not a replacement for traditional methods of diagnosis and treatment by a qualified clinician.
Samsung continues to prioritize research and development in sleep health technology. By leveraging the power of their Galaxy devices, they aim to empower individuals to make positive changes to their sleep habits and overall well-being.
