How sleep apnoea is diagnosed

1. Starting the conversation

Speak to a GP or another appropriate healthcare professional if you have signs of sleep apnoea. Information from someone who has observed your sleep can be useful, particularly descriptions of pauses, gasping, choking, snoring or repeated waking.

• Describe daytime sleepiness, concentration, morning headaches and how symptoms affect driving or work.
• Mention relevant medical conditions, medicines, alcohol use and family history.
• Bring a short sleep or symptom record if you have one.
• Do not rely on a phone recording or wearable as proof of a diagnosis.

2. Referral and clinical assessment

If sleep apnoea is suspected, you may be referred to a sleep service for assessment. The exact pathway and waiting time vary by location and service.

The clinical team may ask about your sleep pattern, symptoms, occupation and driving, examine relevant airway features and decide which type of sleep study is appropriate.

3. The sleep study

Many people can complete a study at home using portable monitoring equipment. Some need more detailed monitoring in a sleep clinic or hospital, particularly when an initial study is unclear or another sleep or breathing disorder is possible.

Depending on the test, measurements may include airflow, breathing effort, blood-oxygen level, heart rate, body position, snoring and sleep signals.

4. Understanding the result

Reports often include an apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI), which estimates how often breathing stops or reduces per hour of recorded sleep. Common adult ranges describe 5–14 events per hour as mild, 15–30 as moderate and more than 30 as severe.

The number is not the whole diagnosis. Symptoms, oxygen changes, test quality, other conditions and the person’s circumstances also affect clinical interpretation.

5. Discussing what happens next

Ask which type of sleep-related breathing problem was found, how confident the team is in the result and what options fit your symptoms and severity. If symptoms remain convincing after a negative or unclear test, ask whether further assessment is appropriate.

Safety while waiting

Excessive sleepiness can affect driving and safety-critical work. Do not drive when sleepy. Ask a healthcare professional about the rules that apply to your symptoms, diagnosis and licence where you live.