Apple Watch sleep apnea detection gets approval from Health Canada

Following FDA approval in the United States earlier this month, Apple has now received the go-ahead from Health Canada for the Apple Watch’s sleep apnea notification feature. This means Apple is now permitted to roll out the feature to eligible Apple Watch models in Canada.

The sleep apnea detection feature is supported on the newest Apple Watch Series 10 as well as the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. Earlier this month, Apple offered an in-depth breakdown of how the feature taps into the Apple Watch’s accelerometer to alert users to potential Breathing Disturbances:

Sleep is an important area of health as it impacts a person’s overall physical and mental wellbeing. Sleep apnea is a prevalent disorder in which breathing momentarily stops during sleep, preventing the body from getting enough oxygen. The condition is estimated to impact more than 1 billion people worldwide, and in most cases, goes undiagnosed. If left untreated, it can have important health consequences over time, including increased risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiac issues.

Breathing Disturbances is an innovative new Apple Watch metric that uses the accelerometer to detect small movements at the wrist associated with interruptions to normal respiratory patterns during sleep. Every 30 days, Apple Watch will analyze breathing disturbance data and notify users if it shows consistent signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea so they can speak to their doctor about next steps, including potential diagnosis and treatment.

Apple has promised that sleep apnea notifications will be available in more than 150 countries and regions this month.