Can the sleep study detect heart diseases？
- viatomtechnology
- Jul 23
- 7 min read
Introduction
The growing connection between sleep apnea and heart diseases has garnered increasing clinical attention. In this context, wearables are emerging as innovative tools by enabling continuous monitoring outside traditional clinical settings. But what makes wearable devices effective tools for simultaneously diagnosing both conditions? What recent advancements are driving their potential to transform patient care?
Join us as we explore these breakthroughs and discover how wearable devices are shaping the future of heart and sleep health management.
Case Study: Detection of Atrial Fibrillation via HSAT
In May 2023, Aygun Asgarli and colleagues published a case study through Oxford University Press highlighting how a home sleep apnea test (HSAT), primarily used to detect obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), can also identify signs of potential atrial fibrillation (AFib).[1]
The case features a 60-year-old man with REM sleep behavior disorder who underwent a peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT)-based HSAT. Originally aimed at reassessing sleep apnea, the wearable device also showed an abnormal pulsation pattern that lasted three hours and started and stopped abruptly, indicative of AFib. Follow-up cardiac monitoring confirmed asymptomatic AFib episodes during sleep.
This case demonstrates that wearable devices in HSAT can effectively identify signals for both sleep-disordered breathing and occult cardiac arrhythmias in a single, convenient test. This dual detection capability can play a vital role in early diagnosis and stroke prevention in at-risk patients.
What is the link between sleep and heart health?
Which heart problems are related to OSA? Can heart conditions also increase the risk of OSA?
In fact, up to 70% of people admitted to the hospital because of coronary artery disease, which can lead to serious heart complications, were found to have OSA. Research has found that individuals with OSA are noted to have about a 50% chance of also experiencing hypertension. Heart rhythm problems, such as atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) and bradycardia (a slow heart rate), are commonly observed as well.[2]
Furthermore, research indicates that the relationship between OSA and heart problems is bidirectional, which is to say, not only can OSA contribute to the development of cardiovascular conditions, but existing heart issues can also increase the risk of OSA. It demonstrates that the prevalence of OSA can range from 40% to 80% among patients with cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension, heart failure, coronary artery disease, pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and stroke.[3]
How does sleep apnea like OSA cause heart diseases?
OSA is a common form of sleep apnea where the airway repeatedly becomes blocked during sleep. This leads to repeated pauses in breathing and low oxygen levels in the blood. When oxygen levels drop, the body reacts by telling the heart to beat faster and raising blood pressure, activating the part of the nervous system that prepares the body for stress as well. Then it causes blood vessels to tighten and leads to pressure changes in the chest. Over time, these stress reactions can cause the heart to enlarge and make it harder for it to pump blood effectively. Additionally, the recurrent hypoxia and stress promote inflammation and direct cardiac tissue damage.[4]
Can I get heart disease suggestions when monitoring my OSA?
Yes, monitoring your OSA with a pulse oximeter in HSAT can provide valuable insights that may help in detecting signs of heart diseases.
While HSAT devices, mostly pulse oximeters, do not measure heart rate directly, they accurately record pulse rate. Since pulse rate and heart rate are closely linked, pulse oximeters can reliably calculate heart rate in most situations.[5] Monitoring heart rate helps identify irregularities like unusually fast or slow heartbeats, which can be early signs of heart problems.
In addition, pulse oximeters can provide insights into heart rate variability (HRV), which is a valuable indicator of cardiovascular health. HRV analysis helps detect issues such as arrhythmias and autonomic nervous system imbalances that are associated with increased risk of heart diseases. While HRV is traditionally measured using ECG by detecting R waves, ECG isn’t always available during sleep recordings, and artifacts can interfere.[5] Fortunately, pulse oximeters can also be used to derive HRV information from pulse signals, making them a practical alternative.
Moreover, a notable study using a modified wearable HST device achieved over 80% accuracy in identifying individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease.[6] This underscores the potential of simple, non-invasive HST devices to serve as accessible tools for early heart health screening, making comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment more feasible and widespread.
Is detecting heart diseases in HSAT practically feasible?
Cardio-Sleep solution is upgrading cardiac event detection now
The feasibility of detecting heart diseases in HSAT lies in HSAT’s capacity for long-term monitoring, which is essential given that cardiac events such as arrhythmias or ischemic episodes often occur transiently and may not be captured during brief assessments.[7] Continuous recording over extended periods, such as overnight monitoring, enhances the likelihood of detecting these episodic events, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy and facilitating timely intervention.
Sleep specialists like Dr. Mehran Farid, medical director of Peninsula Sleep Center Inc. in Burlingame, have been able to identify patterns suggestive of atrial fibrillation within sleep study data. They then refer patients promptly for comprehensive cardiac evaluation.[8]
Moreover, some HSAT devices now incorporate algorithms capable of detecting signs of heart rhythm abnormalities, such as atrial fibrillation and premature beats, during sleep. Although not a definitive diagnostic tool, they serve as “flags” that prompt further investigation with standard cardiac tests.
With the help of advanced technology, this seamless referral process enables earlier detection of heart issues, promotes better coordination of care, and supports more targeted treatment strategies for patients suffering from both sleep apnea and heart diseases.
How is OSA diagnosed and monitored now?
Overnight polysomnography (PSG) at sleep labs is considered the gold standard for diagnosing OSA and other sleep-disordered breathing conditions. During a PSG, a technician attaches electrodes to the scalp, eyelids, chin, chest, and legs to monitor various physiological signals. However, PSG has some limitations, including the potential for the white coat effect, high costs, long wait times, and limited availability.
Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT) offers a convenient and accessible alternative to traditional in-lab PSG. Firstly, HSAT uses portable Type Ⅲ devices like pulse oximeters and simplified sensors, eliminating the need for complex leads and wires attached to the body, which greatly reduce discomfort during sleep. Secondly, conducting the test at home allows patients to sleep in a familiar environment, which can minimize anxiety and help reproduce the sleep patterns. This approach also reduces the travel time, lab reservation procedure, and test waiting time. Moreover, HSAT is often preferred because it is less costly, since it involves simplified equipment and reduced labor costs.
What is the procedure for an HSAT?
Step 1: Get the prescription and acquire the device
A prescription is required for an HSAT, whether through clinical appointment or virtual consultations. Once prescription confirmed, the healthcare professional will guide you on how to properly place the HSAT device to ensure accurate results. The HSAT device will be shipped directly to your home, arranged by the clinic or the sleep center.[9]
Step 2: Wear the device and go to sleep
Wear the sensors and device as instructed, and go to sleep as usual. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and discuss any medication intake with your physician. The device records data throughout the night, which may include airflow, respiratory effort, oxygen saturation, and heart rate.
Step 3: Return the device and receive the result
After your sleep, you may return the device if necessary or discard it if it's disposable. A sleep technologist or sleep medicine physician will then analyze the data and send the results to your physician. These results help determine the severity of sleep apnea.
How can we further promote Cardio-Sleep solution in healthcare practice?
Research shows that incorporating sleep health into cardiovascular assessments improves disease prediction and prevention.[10] Early screening for poor sleep patterns and promoting lifestyle changes can effectively reduce CVD risk.[11]
Looking ahead, Cardio-Sleep solution is expected to become a vital part of healthcare practice. We strongly advocate for more cardiologists and primary care physicians to incorporate OSA screening into their standard practice. As technology advances, intelligent algorithms and novel tools such as wearable devices and remote monitoring systems are revolutionizing the overall healthcare industry. These innovations will also provide richer data to inform personalized interventions and promote more accurate CVD prediction and detection.
Wrapping Up
As research continues to unravel the relationship between sleep apnea and heart diseases and as technology evolves, more multi-faceted diagnostics via wearable technology in healthcare could become the standard to make large-scale screening feasible and improve patient compliance. These innovations help address previous challenges such as patient adherence, reimbursement issues, and data integration, making continuous health monitoring more practical and effective.
Viatom's wearable devices, including sleep monitoring, ECG monitoring, blood pressure monitoring, etc., are renowned for their quality and full certification. More healthcare providers are adopting Viatom solutions for their reliability, ease of use, and comprehensive data, enabling proactive patient care.
References:
[1] 0982 Atrial fibrillation diagnosed from a home-based sleep study in a patient with REM behavior disorder (2023)
[2] Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Heart Disease - American Thoracic Society (2013)
[3] Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2021)
[4] Sleep Apnea and Heart Disease (2024)
[5] Pulse Oximetry: The Working Principle, Signal Formation, and Applications (2022)
[6] Cardiovascular disease can be detected earlier during sleep (2011)
[7] Should All Congestive Heart Failure Patients Have a Routine Sleep Apnea Screening? Con (2016)
[8] New FDA-Cleared Solution Triages Cardiac Risks Faster in Sleep Apnea Patients (2023)
[9] What Is an At-Home Sleep Study? Learn how a home sleep study works and if it's right for you (2025)
[10] Redefining Cardiovascular Health to Include Sleep: Prospective Associations With Cardiovascular Disease in the MESA Sleep Study (2022)
[11] Sleep Patterns and Traditional Cardiovascular Health Metrics: Joint Impact on Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in a Prospective Cohort Study (2024)
