Home sleep apnea test
A small kit you wear overnight at home that records breathing, oxygen and heart rate - to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea.
TypeSleep study
HowWear a small device with a finger sensor, nasal tube and chest band for 1–3 nights.
How oftenWhen symptoms or a screen suggest it.
BeforeAvoid alcohol and sleeping pills unless told otherwise.
WhoAdults with likely moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.
What your wearable can’t tell you
Wearables track sleep, heart rate and oxygen trends - useful, but they can’t diagnose sleep apnea. A home sleep test measures breathing pauses directly.
No sleep apnea
“Do I have sleep apnea?”
Breathing stays steady through the night.
Normal
Mild to moderate
“Is it serious?”
Some pauses each hour - often improved with treatment.
Treatable
Severe
“What now?”
Frequent pauses - your provider will talk you through treatment.
Treat
Is it right for you?
Worth considering if…
- You snore and feel sleepy during the day.
- Your STOP-BANG screen shows higher risk.
- You have high blood pressure, AFib or diabetes with snoring.
A better option if…
- You have other sleep disorders, heart or lung disease - an in-lab polysomnography may be better.
How it’s measured
Home sleep test
Breathing, oxygen and heart rate at home.
In-lab polysomnography
Full study including brain waves.
The full picture
What is it?
An overnight test at home for sleep apnea.
What type of test is it?
A sleep study.
What does it measure?
Breathing pauses, oxygen levels and heart rate.
Why might someone consider it?
To diagnose obstructive sleep apnea.
Who is it most relevant for?
Adults with likely sleep apnea.
How is it performed?
Wear sensors at home overnight.
How often might it be considered?
When symptoms suggest it.
What can the result help you understand?
Whether you have sleep apnea and how severe.
What are its limitations?
Can underestimate severity; doesn’t measure sleep stages.
What should it be viewed with?
Symptoms, blood pressure, weight and wearable data.
Where to get it
Through your provider
Primary care can order a home test.
Sleep clinics
For lab studies and complex cases.
Home test services
Some offer telehealth review - check they’re clinician-led.
Names are examples only, not endorsements. Your provider can often order the same test - and help interpret it.
Connected to
Questions to ask your provider
- Is a home test right for me or do I need a lab study?
Ziva Health
One test is a snapshot. Ziva shows the whole story.
Ziva brings your lab results, wearables and daily readings together - and Isabella tells you what’s changing and what to ask your provider next.
Refer Ziva to my provider / care team
Is your provider not on Ziva yet? Send them a link in under a minute - once they join, they’ll see your Home sleep apnea test result alongside your other trends and get alerts directly.
Refer my providerAlready seeing your provider?
Bring your Ziva 30-day report to your next appointment - your Home sleep apnea test result and daily trends in one view, so the conversation starts with the full picture.
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Being listed doesn’t mean everyone needs this test. Educational only — not medical advice. Results should be interpreted with a qualified clinician. ← Back to Know What to Test