A sleep apnea test is a reliable way to determine whether you have the serious condition that causes your breathing to stop repeatedly during sleep. It’s usually done through an overnight study in a sleep lab.

Overnight studies are more accurate than at-home tests, but they’re not as convenient. Home tests also don’t diagnose non-breathing-related sleep issues such as narcolepsy.

How It Works

In the past, if your doctor suspected sleep apnea, they’d have you come to the lab and spend the night hooked up to dozens of sensors. Fortunately, new technology allows at-home testing, which is often the preferred option for those whose symptoms suggest a condition like obstructive sleep apnea.

The test measures your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and breathing patterns while you’re sleeping. Your health care provider uses the results to calculate your apnea-hypopnea index, or AHI. This is a good indicator of the severity of your obstructive sleep apnea.

The test might also ask you to sleep on your back and on your side, as apnea tends to be worse when people sleep on their backs. It may also measure how much you snore or choke while you’re asleep. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and daytime sleepiness. It also increases your risk for car accidents.

Preparation

If your doctor recommends a sleep test, you’ll have the option to take it at home or in a lab. Whichever you choose, the key to success is preparation.

If you’re taking a home sleep study, it’s important to stick with your regular bedtime schedule and follow the instructions for setting up the equipment. It’s also essential to avoid alcohol and any other sleep-promoting substances before the test.

A home sleep apnea test has some advantages over an in-lab polysomnogram, including shorter wait times, convenience, and affordability. However, it is still not as accurate and may not detect all cases of sleep apnea.

A sleep study in a lab, clinic, or hospital is more time-consuming and can feel invasive. It’s best to have someone drive you to and from the appointment, and to bring snacks and a pillow from home. Doing so will ensure that you’re as comfortable as possible during the night. You can also try using a pillow that reduces pressure on your face and/or mouth to increase comfort.

Results

If your doctor recommends an overnight sleep study, also called polysomnography, you’ll spend the night at a sleep center. This test can diagnose a variety of breathing-related conditions, including sleep apnea.

During the sleep study, you’ll be hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart rate, brain waves, eye and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while you breathe. It’s important to follow the directions carefully.

The results of your sleep study can help determine the type of treatment you need, such as a dental sleep appliance or surgery. The results can also indicate whether your apnea is caused by snoring or by obstruction of the airways.

While at-home sleep tests are becoming increasingly popular, an in-lab study is the most accurate way to diagnose apnea and other respiratory disorders. They’re also useful if your at-home results are unclear or if you have other health issues that may affect your breathing, such as movement disorders or narcolepsy.

Treatment

Depending on the results of your sleep study, you and your provider will decide the best course of treatment. Your provider may recommend behavior changes like losing weight, avoiding alcohol and smoking, and changing sleeping positions. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, your provider might refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist. In some cases, a heart specialist, called a cardiologist, or doctor who specializes in the nervous system, called a neurologist might also be recommended.

In some cases, your doctor might suggest an at-home sleep apnea test (HST) if your symptoms and risk factors indicate you have sleep apnea. This is a simplified version of the overnight sleep test and does not involve an in-lab technician. Your doctor will prescribe a portable breathing monitor for you to take home and hook up before you go to sleep. The device will evaluate your breathing, while a finger monitor tracks blood oxygen levels. The data will be uploaded and analyzed after you sleep.