How Apple Watch Detects Sleep Apnea: Technology and Sensors
Apple Watch utilizes its accelerometer to track wrist micromovements associated with breathing interruptions, combining this data with heart rate and
Accelerometer-Based Motion Detection The primary technical mechanism Apple Watch employs to detect sleep apnea is the built-in accelerometer. When the user is asleep, this sensor actively tracks physical body movements. It is specifically calibrated to detect minute, subtle movements at the wrist that correspond to the rise and fall of the chest during normal respiration. By analyzing these micromovements, the system can identify interruptions in normal breathing patterns, which the software categorizes as “Breathing Disturbances”. Data Aggregation and Analysis Window The detection process relies on long-term trend analysis rather than single-night diagnostics. The algorithm requires a substantial dataset to distinguish between occasional disruptions and a chronic condition. To function correctly and provide an analysis, the user must wear the Apple Watch for sleep tracking for at least 10 nights within a 30-day period . The system evaluates this accumulated data to determine if the frequ…