Health Canada officially approves Sleep apnea detection on Apple Watch Series 10, Series 9 and Ultra 2

Sleep apnea is a pretty common, yet debilitating condition where a person's breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep, affecting over 1 billion people globally. Untreated, it can lead to hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiac issues.

Apple’s sleep apnea notification feature, now certified by Health Canada as of September 26, 2024, will be available on the Apple Watch Series 10 (currently $419 on Amazon), Ultra 2, and Series 9 (currently $329 on Amazon) models. The feature was previously approved by the FDA earlier this month, and it uses the watch’s accelerometer to track minute wrist movements and detect potential breathing disturbances. Every 30 days, the watch analyzes data and alerts users if consistent signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea are detected.

Beyond sleep apnea detection, the new Apple Watch models are equipped with advanced health sensors, such as a blood oxygen monitor, ECG app, and irregular heart rhythm notification. These watches can also track respiratory rates, sleep stages, and heart rate variability, making them detailed health companions - tied to your wrist. Additionally, fall detection and emergency SOS features further step up safety, especially for those with health conditions or the elderly.

The integration of these health monitoring tools, paired with Health Canada’s recent certification, further makes the Apple Watch one of the best smartwatches out there. In fact, it's not merely a smartwatch anymore, it's a multifunctional health device. The rollout of the sleep apnea feature is expected in more than 150 countries by the end of the month.