What is a Home Sleep (Apnea) Test?

A home sleep apnea test provides your doctor with information to diagnose sleep apnea. It allows you to sleep at home wearing equipment that collects information about how you breathe during sleep. You will usually set up the testing equipment yourself.

There are a variety of devices that have different sensors and equipment. These devices are quite sophisticated. Some measure your breathing, blood oxygen level, heart  rate, body position and body movements and sleep stages. 

Your doctor may recommend a home sleep apnea test if:

• It is highly likely that you have moderate to severe sleep apnea

• You have no significant medical conditions other than the suspected sleep apnea

You should not have a home sleep apnea test if:

• You do not have a high risk of sleep apnea

• Your doctor suspects that you have another sleep disorder

• You have certain medical conditions including pulmonary diseases, neuromuscular diseases or congestive heart failure

• It is physically difficult for you to administer the test at home

In these cases, your doctor may recommend an in-lab sleep study instead of a home sleep apnea test. A sleep study provides the most complete evaluation of your sleep

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