Home Sleep Test – Frequently Asked Questions

A Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT), like the WatchPAT ONE, is an easy-to-use, single-night sleep study designed to diagnose sleep apnea at home. Unlike lab studies, this test uses clinical-grade sensors and is interpreted by a licensed respirologist.

An at-home sleep study is a convenient way to diagnose sleep apnea at home without visiting a sleep clinic. The device is easy to use and typically measures your breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep activity while you sleep. Sensors are applied to your finger, wrist, chest, or nose, and the device collects data throughout the night. After the at-home sleep test is complete, a sleep-trained physician reviews your results and provides a diagnosis.

In Canada, a home sleep test is usually available within a few days to a week, with results ready in about 1–2 weeks. In Ontario, many people can arrange testing quickly through private providers, while in other provinces timelines are similar, making home testing much faster than waiting months for an in-lab study.

HSATs like WatchPAT ONE offer unmatched convenience—no overnight clinic stays, no travel, and a comfortable home setting. Plus, it delivers fast and accurate results when compared to lab studies.

If you’d like to see our process step by step, learn more about our sleep study at home.

An at-home sleep study measures key indicators of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and other sleep-related breathing disorders. This includes oxygen saturation, heart rate, breathing effort, and snoring patterns. Some devices, like the WatchPAT One, can also track sleep stages to provide a comprehensive overview of your sleep quality.

In Canada, HSATs are recommended for adults showing sleep apnea symptoms (snoring, daytime fatigue, gasping at night) with no serious medical conditions like advanced COPD. They are ideal for those who want a convenient, private, and cost-effective way to get a sleep apnea diagnoses.

Want to learn more about sleep apnea Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment? Check out our guide to learn about the process of diagnosis and management of sleep apnea.

Yes. Home sleep apnea tests (HSATs) are often used not only for initial diagnosis but also for ongoing management of obstructive sleep apnea in appropriate patients. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, HSATs can be part of longitudinal care when overseen by a sleep physician, helping to track therapy effectiveness and adjust treatment when needed (Caples et al., 2021).

Home Sleep Tests have been extensively studied and are shown to provide reliable results for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea in adults. While an in-lab polysomnography (PSG) remains the gold standard, home tests are widely used because they are accurate, more accessible, and recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for appropriate patients.

Our testing device, the WatchPAT ONE, is FDA and Health Canada-approved. It has been validated in peer-reviewed studies with up to 95% accuracy compared to in-lab testing.

Want to learn more about the WatchPAT ONE device?

Want to dive deeper into the research? See our guide on sleep test accuracy.

Most home sleep tests are designed to detect obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common type. However, they are not typically equipped to diagnose central sleep apnea or complex cases. In such situations, an in-lab sleep study may be required for accurate assessment.

Home sleep tests cannot always detect mild sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, or other complex sleep disorders. They also rely on the correct application of sensors by the user. However, they remain a reliable and convenient option for most patients seeking to diagnose sleep apnea at home without a clinic visit.

The Home Sleep Apnea Test is designed and validated for use in adults. It is not recommended for children, as pediatric sleep studies require specialized equipment and interpretation by sleep specialists trained in pediatric sleep medicine.

If you are concerned that your child may have sleep apnea, it’s best to speak with your family doctor or request a referral to a pediatric sleep clinic, where an in-lab sleep study can provide accurate testing.

For adults, home sleep studies like the WatchPAT One offers a comfortable, accurate, and convenient way to test for sleep apnea at home without the need for an overnight lab stay.

If you're concerned about pediatric sleep apnea, read our blog on signs, symptoms and diagnosis in children.

For reliable results:

• Download the WatchPAT app and keep your phone plugged in overnight.
  
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
  
• Ensure sensors are placed correctly—finger probe, chest sensor, wrist unit.
  
• Minimize wireless interference in the room.

To prepare for your home sleep test, read our blog.

Once your home sleep test is complete, a sleep-trained physician reviews the data and provides a detailed report. If sleep apnea is detected, your physician may recommend CPAP therapy, lifestyle changes, or refer you to a specialist. You may also have the option for a virtual consultation to review results and discuss next steps.

No, you don’t need a referral from your doctor to order a home sleep apnea test. The WatchPAT ONE can be self-ordered directly, making it easier and faster to get tested without waiting for a specialist appointment.

If you want to read more about our process, discover how our home sleep testing process works.

Once your test is complete, results typically come back within a few days to one week, depending on clinician review workload.

Curious about your test results? Read our guide to understanding your WatchPAT ONE home sleep test results for a clear explanation of what your values mean.

If sleep apnea is confirmed, you’ll receive treatment options. Many customers are guided toward CPAP therapy, the gold standard in treating obstructive sleep apnea. Visit our store where you can conveniently explore our CPAP Machines.

If you’d like to explore different ways to treat sleep apnea besides CPAP, visit our blog on alternative sleep apnea treatments.

If you’re new to treatment and want a simple breakdown, check out our beginner’s guide to CPAP therapy. It explains what CPAP is, how it works, and what to expect as you get started.

Simply select the WatchPAT ONE variant you want (1–3 nights), complete checkout, and your test kit will ship directly to your home.

If you're considering a HSAT, you can conveniently visit our store to order the WatchPAT ONE.

AHI (Apnea–Hypopnea Index) measures breathing disruptions per hour and determines the severity of sleep apnea:

• Normal: AHI < 5
• Mild: 5–15
• Moderate: 15–30
• Severe: > 30

If you’d like a deeper explanation, explore our guide to understanding WatchPAT One results. It breaks down what the numbers mean and how they relate to your sleep health.

Yes—if results are inconclusive or equipment issues occurred, we can ship a repeat test kit at a discounted rate.

Be sure to read all instructions included in your kit carefully.

In Ontario, ADP only covers Level 1 in-lab tests, so WatchPAT ONE (Level 3) isn't OHIP-funded. Some private insurers may reimburse the cost of an at-home sleep study in Ontario; check your plan.

For more details, check out our blog on insurance and provincial funding for sleep apnea treatment in Canada.

The WatchPAT ONE is an FDA- and Health Canada-approved device that lets you complete a sleep study at home. It’s non-invasive, easy to use, and provides accurate results.

How it works:

1. Placement: The device uses a wrist-worn monitor and a finger sensor to measure heart rate, oxygen levels, and peripheral arterial tone (PAT).
2. Overnight Monitoring: While you sleep, the WatchPAT One tracks breathing patterns, oxygen desaturation events, and sleep interruptions, gathering all the data needed to detect sleep apnea.
3. Automatic Analysis: The device automatically analyzes your results and generates a comprehensive report, which can be reviewed by a sleep physician.
4. Follow-Up: After completing the test, you can schedule a virtual consultation or share your results with your family doctor to discuss treatment options, including CPAP therapy.

If you're interested in the WatchPAT ONE, view our WatchPAT ONE product page for full device details.

Sleep studies, essential for diagnosing sleep disorders, are conducted through two main methods: Polysomnography (PSG) and Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT), each offering unique advantages and settings.

1. Polysomnography (PSG):
2. Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT):

Both PSG and HSAT play crucial roles in diagnosing sleep disorders, with PSG offering comprehensive data in a controlled laboratory environment, while HSAT provides convenience and accessibility for certain conditions like OSA. The choice between the two depends on factors such as the suspected sleep disorder, the patient's medical history, and individual preferences. Regardless of the method, sleep studies are invaluable tools for understanding sleep patterns, identifying disorders, and guiding appropriate treatment interventions.

To learn more about the differences between in-lab polysomnography and home sleep apnea tests, check out our blog on home sleep tests vs. in-lab studies.