Advanced WatchPAT Tech vs. Other Sleep Apnea Tests

Posted: September 23, 2020

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes you to stop breathing or breathe shallowly during sleep. This condition can increase your risk for many other conditions, some of the most concerning including hypertension, atrial fibrillation, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and cognitive decline. In addition, undiagnosed sleep apnea can also increase the risk for complications from anesthesia during surgery. Therefore, it’s vital to take a sleep apnea test if you believe you may have this sleep disorder. Not all home sleep tests are made the same, and some offer key benefits compared to other test devices. For example, the WatchPAT One® home sleep test uses advanced, proprietary technology to detect indications of sleep apnea.

If you feel fatigued every day, it may be time to take a sleep apnea test.

What is a Home Sleep Apnea Test?

A sleep apnea test is a diagnostic tool that helps determine sleep apnea presence and severity. Home sleep tests are a great option if you believe you may have sleep apnea. Previously, the only option for people to learn if they had sleep apnea was a polysomnography. This test is conducted in a sleep lab using many different wires and devices to help identify sleep disorders. During these tests, a sleep technician also watches over you while you sleep. However, because of the high costs, discomfort, and inconvenience associated with these tests, many people choose not to do them and risk living with undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea. 

Instead, a home sleep apnea test is a cost-effective option that you take in the comfort of your own home. These tests collect data about your sleep in  your own bed and with fewer points of contact than a sleep lab test. This can offer a more reliable picture of your normal sleep patterns, as you are in a comfortable environment where you sleep every night. There are many sleep apnea test devices on the market today. However, the WatchPAT One offers next generation technology for convenient, comfortable, and accurate sleep apnea detection.

Technologically-Advanced WatchPAT One Sleep Apnea Test

Unlike other sleep apnea test devices, the WatchPAT One measures biological signals to help identify sleep apnea. Other home sleep tests utilize airflow to detect apnea events. The WatchPAT One device is one of the most studied and validated home sleep tests on the market today and is the first and only FDA-approved disposable home sleep test. 

The WatchPAT One sleep apnea test offers a 98% success rate with a less than 2% rate of failure during data acquisition and analysis. In addition, this sleep test offers an 89% agreement rate with polysomnography results for accurate sleep apnea detection. 

Using only three points of contact, this sleep apnea test collects many different types of sleep data to identify sleep apnea presence and severity. The device measures sleep apnea events, snoring, body position, oxygen and heart rate, sleep stages, and much more that helps our board-certified sleep physician diagnose you with sleep apnea.

Proprietary PAT Signal for Sleep Apnea Test

You might be wondering what the name “WatchPAT” means. Watch comes from the watch-like device that you wear during your sleep apnea test. PAT refers to the proprietary peripheral arterial tone (PAT) technology it uses to detect sleep apnea. This PAT signal helps measure your nervous system and cardiovascular system through blood volume changes in the finger. The small finger clip can help detect sympathetic nervous system activity that often signals the end of an apnea event. 

True Sleep Time

Also, the WatchPAT One is the only FDA-cleared device that reliably measures true sleep time. This means that the sleep apnea test can help differentiate between when you’re asleep and when you’re awake. Other tests base results on total recording time, which is how long you wear the device. However, this can dilute your sleep data and may lead to misdiagnosis. Using true sleep time may help reduce misdiagnosis by up to 20%.

The reason true sleep time is so important is because your sleep apnea test detects the number of apnea events you experience per hour of sleep. However, if it takes you a while to fall asleep or if you wake up for an extended period of time while taking the test, then other tests may reflect fewer apnea events than you normally have while you sleep. Instead, true sleep time detected by proprietary WatchPAT technology can help provide a more in-depth view of sleep apnea. 

Sleep Stages

The WatchPAT One can also detect sleep stages, such as REM sleep compared to non-REM sleep. This is important to understand your sleep quality and whether you’re getting the restful sleep your body needs. However, there is also another factor that makes sleep stage detection so important for your sleep apnea test. Apnea events can happen during any sleep stage. However, obstructive sleep apnea that is related to REM sleep may increase your risk for certain health complications even further. For example, REM-related sleep apnea may increase oxygen desaturation, as well as your risk for high blood pressure. Therefore, understanding when apnea events occur while you sleep can help influence sleep apnea treatment and also help our physician understand other risks that may need treatment or lifestyle changes to reduce.

WatchPAT Sleep Apnea Test is Comfortable and Convenient

In addition to accuracy and technology, the WatchPAT One sleep apnea test is also more comfortable and convenient. Most sleep apnea tests use nose cannulas and chest belts to detect airflow and breathing for sleep apnea detection. However, many people find these components uncomfortable to use while sleeping. Instead, the WatchPAT One uses just three points of contact:

• Watch-like device that you wear on the wrist of your non-dominant hand
• Finger clip you wear on your index finger
• Small chest sensor sticker that you place just below your neck 

In addition, with the WatchPAT One, there’s no need to download the data. Instead, the device connects to your smartphone and automatically transmits the information to our sleep team. All you do is press start the night before and then press submit in the morning. 

Another benefit of using the WatchPAT One sleep apnea test is that it is fully-disposable. This means there’s no need to go through the hassle of returning the device. Simply dispose of the test in the morning. Also, this means there’s no infection risk because you’re the only one that uses the device.

As you can see, the WatchPAT One sleep apnea test offers advanced technology for an accurate, affordable, and easy-to-use solution for sleep apnea diagnosis. At Low T Center, we believe in making men’s healthcare as easy and cost-effective as possible to suit your lifestyle. Order your home sleep test online today to start the path toward a better night’s sleep. 

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Disclaimer: This article is made available for general, entertainment and educational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Low T Center. You should always seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.