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Can I rely on my Apple Watch Sleep Data?
I have an Apple Watch Series 8.
Does anyone know how accurate this watch's sleep data is?
Assuming this watch is accurate, do you know what an ideal "REM" and "DEEP" amount should be?
Thank you very much.
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I have both Apple and Fitbit smart watches and have worn them at night on both wrists to see which one more accurately mirrors my nightly sleep pattern and Fitbit seems to be a little more accurate. As for your sleeping issue, I used to have a problem but after spending time with a sleep specialist, I no longer have trouble getting a decent night's sleep. The key is never to go to bed unless you are really, really tired. I'm wondering why you go to bed at 8pm because it seems like a very early time to do so, unless perhaps you're a shift worker or something of that nature. For a large part of the year, you're trying to sleep while it's still light outside which has to be difficult.
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1 ReactionI am a sample size of 1, so I can't predict what your doctor(s) will say. But I've been using an Apple Watch to track my sleep, mostly out of curiosity. I've done a little research and most reputable reports seem to say that smartwatches (regardless of brand) tend to over or under-measure certain metrics.
In my case, I recently established with a new sleep medicine doctor (my insurance changed) and asked at my first visit of their thoughts about what I was seeing from my watch. Now, this is a major academic hospital/medical system in North Carolina. They weren't particularly convinced of the reliability of the results of any smartwatches.
I wasn't totally surprised, given the accuracy issues noted in the medical journal articles I'd read. Also, my watch is a little older (SE) and I think the newer ones have improved capabilities. My sense from what I read online is that rings (like the Oura) are slightly better (more reliable/more accurate) but (in my opinion) not sufficiently better than my watch to justify the additional expense.
Before buying a smartwatch (some are expensive!), I'd check with your doctor(s) on their opinions (in case they differ from what I was told). As someone above mentioned, an overnight (in their facility, if possible) sleep study is considered the gold standard for assessing sleep issues. [I've had two over the years, and am scheduled for a third in a couple weeks.]
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1 Reaction@louiserivers I was told by sleep medicine doctors at some point in the past couple years that it's recommended to get a new test every five years. Another check would be with your health insurance company: how frequently do they cover them? My guess would be that doctors and insurance would say that you're definitely due for another one, given the 20+ year gap.
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1 Reaction@bjbarry Some should probably follow that advice, especially if they're gaining weight, not sleeping more than six hours routinely, have brain fog, memory lapses, or have cranky hearts with atrial fibrillation or SVT. However, if a patient is a regular user of a PAP machine, and the morning report of the previous night's events show an AHI of less than 5.0, the medicos and insurers call that 'successfully treated.' So, my feeling, and it's only that, not advice, is that if a person uses their machine every night, and they have an AHI that runs between, say, 1.5 and 4.9 events, they probably don't need a sleep lab refresher. That said, there is often room for improvement if one wants to fiddle a bit, either with the comfort settings, the pressure settings, a different pillow, a different mask, maybe a heated 'Climateline' hose if they've never tried one, maybe taping one's mouth or using a chin strap....there are strategies to getting the higher AHI down to less than 3 events per hour which might be beneficial in the long run.
I do agree that 20 years is a long time, and if the person's AHI is showing a rising trend over the past year or so, it would very much be my recommendation to attempt another over night sleep lab.
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1 ReactionI’ve had Apple smartwatches before I thought about tracking sleep.
I have problems with sleep, balance etc and use many Apple health features - my neurologist was so impressed
she’s recommending a smartwatch to patients. I wake 10-15x per nt, walking asymmetry is poor, heart rate good.
I compared some watch readings (heart rate, blood oxygenation, b/p, etc) in my doc’s office to check accuracy and readings were close.
Read all the features of the smartwatch and get one if you need several features.
Ask your doc if the Apple Watch or a competitor offers the specific features best for you.
I’m Not a techie but find the watch easy to use.
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1 ReactionMy Apple Watch helped me bring my sleep issues to the attention of my doctor. That led to a sleep study And now a CPAP machine.
I can see on my watch and phone that my breathing disruptions have improved substantially with a CPAP. That’s consistent with a read out on the CPAP.
It has certainly helped me to have a watch, and another CPAP.
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1 Reaction@wilmslow
Thanks for suggesting I try a Fitbit to track sleep. I’d like to do that. 👍😃
Good question of why I reported going to bed at 8 pm, which does seem early. My reason that night was because I was so tired from not getting good sleep the night before AND being exhausted with brain fog all day. I usually go to bed between 9:30-10 pm. And I’m retired. No need to get up early to go to work. 👍😃
I can easily fall asleep but I can’t STAY asleep. Awake every 2 hours all night and some nights I have insomnia from 2-4 am.
I’m checking off my symptoms list and have my sleep disturbances narrowed down to 3 possibilities = structural (pain while laying down and wakes me every few hours) OR hormone imbalance since I’m post menopausal and estrogen dips can cause sleep disturbances OR my CPAP machine pressure is set too high and needs adjustment since I’ve lost 50 pounds in the past 5 months.
I’m seeing my OBGYN about the hormone imbalance and next I’ll seek to get a new sleep study done. My last sleep study was in 2005.
Thank you to everyone for your great advice! I’ve learned so much from all of you. You have given me the strength to persevere and strive to find answers.
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2 ReactionsI whole heartedly support you trying the iPhone 17e and the Apple 🍎 Watch. I am 81 well retired and I AM NOT A SALES PERSON.
I have used these Apple 🍎 products after experiencing what you are. This decision was life changing.
🙏 Mort