The Samsung Galaxy Watch gets FDA approval for Sleep Apnea Detection Feature
The FDA has given the green light for a sleep apnea detection feature on the Samsung Galaxy Watch, paving the way for a software update to the Samsung Health Monitor app in the third quarter of this year for US users. South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety had previously approved the use of wearable devices for detecting breathing interruptions related to sleep disorders, and the update is set to first roll out in South Korea.
To use the feature, users will need to wear their Samsung Galaxy Watch while sleeping and monitor their sleep twice over a 10-day period, with each session lasting at least four hours. The Galaxy Watch is capable of monitoring the wearer’s blood oxygen levels throughout the night to assess for any drop, a common indicator of sleep apnea and other sleep disorders. Breathing interruptions during sleep are known to be key symptoms of both central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea, as per the Mayo Clinic.
In conclusion, the FDA’s authorization of the sleep apnea detection feature on the Samsung Galaxy Watch is a significant development in the field of wearable health technology. Users can look forward to an enhanced level of health monitoring and management with the impending software update to the Samsung Health Monitor app.
