Is Home Sleep Apnea Testing Right for You?

Sleep apnea is a common health condition where your breathing starts and stops while you sleep. This can happen many times during the night and make it hard to get a good night’s sleep. In some cases, sleep apnea can lead to other health problems, like high blood pressure and heart disease. 

Fortunately, there’s treatment for sleep apnea. The first step is getting diagnosed. In the past, this meant sleeping overnight in a lab. But these days, home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) is a convenient alternative for many people. 

Are you wondering if HSAT might be right for you? Read on for more information about how these tests work and whether they could be a good option for you or a loved one. 

How do you diagnose sleep apnea?

Sleep specialists diagnose sleep apnea with a sleep study, or a polysomnography (PSG). A PSG happens overnight at a sleep lab. While you sleep, a technician uses equipment to monitor your:

• Brain waves

• Eye movements

• Heart rate

• Breathing patterns

• Body movements 

A PSG can be helpful in diagnosing many different types of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea. 

Another option is home sleep apnea testing (HSAT). Just like it sounds, you do HSAT overnight in your own home. You sleep in your own bed while wearing special equipment that collects data. 

How do home sleep apnea tests work? 

Home sleep apnea tests use special devices to record information while you sleep. Depending on the test, this could include data about your breathing, heart rate, body movements, and more. 

After the test, the information is sent electronically to your sleep specialist. They will interpret the test results and decide whether you have sleep apnea.   

Though HSAT is convenient, it doesn’t capture as much information as a PSG. Because of its limitations, HSAT is mostly used for diagnosing people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

What are the pros and cons of home sleep apnea testing? 

PSG is the gold standard when it comes to diagnosing many sleep disorders, including sleep apnea. 

So how does HSAT compare? Here are some pros and cons to keep in mind. 

Pros

Benefits of HSAT include:

• It’s more convenient.

• You get to sleep in your own bed.

• It’s usually less expensive than PSG.

• It’s easier to repeat over time.

• It’s a good test for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea.

Cons

Cons of HSAT include:

• It might not be covered by insurance as easily as PSG.

• It can be hard to use the equipment correctly.

• It might not be an option if you have other health problems.

• It’s not good for diagnosing other types of sleep disorders, like central sleep apnea or parasomnias (like sleepwalking or nightmares).

What at-home tests are available for sleep apnea?

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, an “adequate” HSAT should monitor at least one of the following:

• The airflow in your nose, your breathing patterns, and the amount of oxygen in your blood 

• The blood flow in your vessels, your physical movements, and the amount of oxygen in your blood

Several HSATs meet these requirements. Examples include:

• WatchPAT: This is a popular test that is especially easy to use. You only need to wear a small device on your wrist and finger. 

• ApneaLink Air: With this system, you wear a chest belt, nasal cannula, and fingertip sensor. 

• Alice NightOne Home Sleep Test: With this system, you also wear a chest belt, nasal cannula, and fingertip sensor. 

• Nox T3: This test includes a chest and abdominal belt, nasal cannula, and wrist and fingertip sensors. 

The BresoDX1 is also a new type of test that will be available in 2023. It uses a small sensor over your windpipe and a fingertip sensor. 

Can you use a fitness tracker to test for sleep apnea?

No. Smartwatches and other fitness trackers aren’t a good substitute for HSAT. Although some can track your sleep, research shows that personal devices aren’t very reliable when it comes to detecting sleep apnea. If you’re worried about sleep apnea, HSAT or PSG are your best options. 

What do at-home sleep apnea test results show?

It depends on which test you use. Most HSATs monitor at least four of the following:

• Breathing patterns

• Air flow in your nose

• Heart rate 

• Heart activity (electrocardiogram)

• Oxygen levels in your blood (pulse oximetry)

• Snoring

• Body position

• Body movement

• Blood flow through your vessels (peripheral arterial tonometry)

Your healthcare provider will use this information to figure out if you have sleep apnea — and whether or not you need follow-up testing or treatment. 

Are there some results you can’t get from HSAT?

Yes. Home tests are good at monitoring breathing but not sleep patterns. Some things can only be monitored in an actual sleep lab. 

For example, your home test won’t be able to record information about your:

• Brain activity 

• Eye movements

• Total sleep time

• Sleep quality

• Nighttime seizures

• Appearance when you’re sleeping

How can you get an at-home sleep apnea test?

If you’re interested in an at-home sleep test, talk to your healthcare provider. HSAT should only be used as part of a thorough sleep evaluation, as prescribed by a trained professional. To get a test, you can either see a provider in person or work with a telehealth (online) sleep specialist.

When should you talk to your provider about sleep apnea?

Talk to your provider if you notice any of the following symptoms of sleep apnea: 

• Snoring frequently

• Feeling tired during the day

• Waking up a lot at night

• Feeling like you are choking or being smothered at night

• Having morning headaches or dry mouth

• Experiencing low sex drive (low libido) 

If you’re seeing a primary care provider, they may also recommend that you talk with a sleep specialist. A sleep specialist is a healthcare provider who has experience diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. 

Can other health conditions be mistaken for sleep apnea? 

Yes. Other sleep disorders can be mistaken for sleep apnea — especially if they cause daytime fatigue or get in the way of a good night of sleep. Examples include:

• Insomnia

• Restless leg syndrome

• Periodic limb movement disorder

• Depression 

• Narcolepsy

• Sleep-related seizure disorders

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

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