By Julian Castillo
12 Feb 2024, 15:00 PM EST
Samsung has taken a significant step towards improving the health of its users by obtaining the clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to incorporate a sleep apnea detection feature on your Galaxy Watch devices. This new feature is designed toHelp users suffering from problems related to sleep apneaa disorder that can have serious health repercussions if not treated properly.
FDA approval paves the way for Samsung to implement this feature through a software update to the Samsung Health Monitor app, scheduled for the third quarter of this year. This update will initially be available to users in the United States, after previously receiving approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of South Korea, the technology company’s country of origin.
How will sleep apnea detection work?
Sleep apnea detection function will require users to sleep with their Galaxy Watch on and monitor their sleep on two occasionseach for a period of at least four hours, within a period of 10 days to activate it. During the night, the device will be able to monitor the user’s blood oxygen levels, which may reveal signs of sleep apnea or other sleep-related disorders. This detection is essential, since Interruptions in breathing during sleep are characteristic symptoms of both central sleep apneacaused by a lack of brain signals to breathe, such as obstructive sleep apnea, caused by blockages in the airways.
It is important to highlight that sWhile smartwatches are not certified medical tools, they are increasingly integrated into personal health monitoring. Despite doctors’ warnings about its reliability in detecting health disorders, leading manufacturers such as Apple, Fitbit and Withings have forayed into this space by developing similar features.
For example, Apple has been working on an advanced health tracking feature for its next Apple Watch, which will also include screening for sleep apnea and hypertension. However, it has not yet received FDA approval for this feature. Additionally, Apple is facing legal challenges, such as a patent lawsuit related to blood oxygen monitoring, which has led to the removal of this feature from current devices.
The inclusion of this health feature on Galaxy Watch devices reflects Samsung’s interest in offering tools to its users so they can be healthy at all times. With early detection of sleep apnea, users will be able to take proactive measures to address this disorder and improve their quality of life.. This update is expected to benefit thousands of users in the United States and beyond, marking a significant milestone in the convergence between technology and personal health.
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