A new study out from wellbeing startup Cardiogram and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) shows wearables like the Apple Watch and Fitbit can precisely recognize health issues like hypertension and sleep apnea.
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In a study, Cardiogram and UCSF showed how the Apple Watch can detect sleep apnea with a 90% accuracy and hypertension with an 82% accuracy.
Sleep apnea affects an estimated 22 million adults in this country. Another 80% of cases of moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea are undiagnosed. This is a potentially deadly condition where the person affected stops breathing in their sleep.
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Experts say this study is a game-changer as there is no other device that can help people detect sleep apnea or hypertension in the comfort of their own homes. Most patients must go to the doctor and wait to be tested. It’s especially difficult for sleep apnea patients because tests can only be done when the patient is sleeping.
Though the study was conducted through the Apple Watch, researchers believe it shows promise for most wearables that incorporate a heart-rate sensor.
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