A sleep apnea test measures your breathing patterns to diagnose sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Symptoms can include snoring, gasping or choking in sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, and high blood pressure. Several different types of at-home sleep testing devices are available, and your health care provider will prescribe the most appropriate one for you.

The most accurate sleep apnea test is the overnight polysomnography study, performed in a lab by a credentialed technician who can troubleshoot any issues with the equipment and provide immediate feedback. This involves wearing a device on your nose that looks like a nasal cannula, a chest belt that monitors heart rate and movement, and a pulse oximeter to measure oxygen saturation.

Other at-home sleep tests are less sophisticated and may be more convenient, but they also tend to underestimate the severity of your apnea. These typically only measure breathing parameters such as airflow, snoring and body position. They cannot detect central sleep apnea or medical conditions such as heart disease and lupus, which often have similar symptoms.

Sleep Apnea Test: How It Works and When You Should Get One

One FDA-approved at-home sleep apnea test that’s a good option for many is the Daybreak device, which pairs with a smartphone app and reads key vital signs during sleep to transmit them instantly to your doctor digitally. Daybreak says it’s the fastest way to get diagnosed and treated for snoring and apnea. Typically, you’ll hear back from the provider within 24 hours and then schedule an appointment to discuss treatment recommendations.