Some nights, my respiratory rate fluctuated more than usual. I would see sudden spikes in respiratory disturbances—periods where my breathing seemed to be irregular. I shrugged it off at first. Maybe it was just a glitch, or maybe I had a cold. But the more I checked, the more I noticed a pattern. Something wasn’t right.
That’s when the thought hit me: Could I have sleep apnea?
What My Apple Watch Was Trying to Tell Me
Like many people, I had heard of sleep apnea before, but I never thought it applied to me. I wasn’t overweight, I didn’t snore (at least, no one had ever complained about it), and I didn’t wake up gasping for air. Yet, my Apple Watch was hinting at something unusual.
I decided to do some digging. Apple Watches don’t directly diagnose sleep apnea, but they do track respiratory rate, oxygen levels (on models with a blood oxygen sensor), and sleep disturbances. If your breathing becomes irregular or your oxygen levels drop at night, these could be warning signs.
I scrolled through my Health app, looking at my sleep data from the past few months. Sure enough, on nights when I felt groggier than usual in the morning, my respiratory disturbances had been higher. My average breathing rate would sometimes spike well above my usual range. Was this just a coincidence, or was my Apple Watch trying to warn me about something serious?
The Symptoms I Ignored for Years
Looking back, there were signs. I often felt exhausted in the mornings, even after getting a full night's sleep. Some days, I would struggle to stay awake at my desk, no matter how much coffee I drank. I also had occasional headaches and dry mouth when I woke up. I always blamed it on stress or poor sleep habits, but now I was starting to question everything.
Could it be that I had been living with undiagnosed sleep apnea for years?
Taking the Next Step: A Sleep Study
The more I read, the more convinced I became that I needed to take this seriously. Sleep apnea isn’t just about snoring—it can lead to serious health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, and even strokes. If my Apple Watch was picking up on something, I needed to find out for sure.
I made an appointment with my doctor and showed them my sleep data. To my surprise, they took it seriously. “This is interesting,” my doctor said, scrolling through my sleep stats. “While your watch can’t diagnose sleep apnea, it’s definitely picking up signs that suggest you might have it.”
They recommended I take a sleep study. I was given the option of an in-lab study or a home sleep test. Wanting the most accurate results, I chose the in-lab study.
The Shocking Diagnosis
The night of my sleep study was an experience in itself. I was hooked up to wires, sensors, and a machine that monitored my breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels throughout the night. It wasn’t the most comfortable sleep I’d ever had, but it was worth it.
A week later, I got the results: I had mild to moderate sleep apnea.
I was stunned. If I hadn’t checked my Apple Watch’s sleep data, I would have never suspected it. I had no idea my breathing was stopping multiple times per hour throughout the night. No wonder I always felt exhausted!
What I Learned About Apple Watch and Sleep Apnea
After my diagnosis, I became obsessed with learning more about how wearable devices like the Apple Watch can help detect sleep disorders. Here’s what I discovered:
Apple Watch tracks your respiratory rate – Your watch measures how many breaths you take per minute. A fluctuating respiratory rate could indicate breathing issues.
Some models track blood oxygen levels – A drop in oxygen saturation overnight can be a sign of sleep apnea.
Sleep disturbances are a red flag – If your watch shows frequent disruptions in your sleep, it could be due to breathing interruptions.
It won’t diagnose sleep apnea – While Apple Watch can detect patterns, you still need a sleep study for a confirmed diagnosis.
What I Did Next: Treatment and Lifestyle Changes
Getting diagnosed was just the first step. The next question was: What do I do about it?
My doctor recommended a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine to help me breathe better at night. At first, I was hesitant. Sleeping with a mask sounded like a nightmare. But after just a few nights of using it, I felt a difference. I woke up feeling more refreshed than I had in years.
In addition to the CPAP, I made a few lifestyle changes:
Sleeping on my side instead of my back Cutting down on alcohol before bed Losing a few extra pounds Sticking to a consistent sleep scheduleShould You Be Worried About Your Own Sleep Data?
If you’re reading this because you’ve noticed unusual data on your Apple Watch, don’t panic. But don’t ignore it either. Sleep apnea is more common than people think, and many cases go undiagnosed for years. If you regularly see high respiratory disturbances or unusual patterns in your sleep tracking, it’s worth talking to your doctor.
Here’s what you can do:
Wear your Apple Watch to sleep consistently to gather more data.
Check your respiratory rate and sleep disturbances in the Health app.
Look out for symptoms like daytime sleepiness, headaches, or snoring.
If you suspect something’s off, talk to your doctor about a sleep study.Final Thoughts: Trust Your Tech, But Get Checked!
I never thought a smartwatch could change my health, but my Apple Watch led me to a diagnosis that improved my life. While it’s not a replacement for medical tests, it can be an incredible tool to help you spot potential issues.
So, if your watch is showing unusual sleep data, don’t ignore it. It could be your body’s way of telling you something important. After all, better sleep means better health—and sometimes, the smallest device on your wrist can make the biggest difference.