A home sleep apnea test can provide valuable information about your symptoms and determine whether you have obstructive sleep apnea. It can also identify whether you have mild or moderate sleep apnea, so you and your doctor can determine the best course of treatment. However, the results of home tests may not be accurate for all people, and it’s important to understand what they can and cannot detect.

Your physician or sleep specialist will pre-screen you for obstructive sleep apnea, and will write you a prescription for an at-home device to test for it. Generally, the devices will come in a sterile kit that includes the equipment you need to take the test. These devices are small, portable and easy to use. They connect with a mobile app that uploads your data to the cloud for doctors to review.

The Home Sleep Apnea Test: What to Expect

You’ll wear the device at night and use it to track your breathing, oxygen levels and heart rate. The sensors on the device might include a fingertip probe (pulse oximeter), one that goes around your nose to measure airflow, a microphone to record snoring and one that is placed on your chest to detect movement related to breathing.

You will need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use the device. The data will be downloaded by the morning, and your doctor will interpret it to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea or other sleeping disorders. If the diagnosis is not clear, your doctor may advise you to have a follow-up test in a laboratory.