Step 1 — Screening
Screening is not a diagnosis; it estimates how likely sleep apnoea is so that testing can be prioritised. GPs and sleep services commonly use:
- Epworth Sleepiness Scale — eight everyday situations scored 0–3 for how likely you are to doze. A total of 11 or more suggests excessive daytime sleepiness.
- STOP-Bang — snoring, tiredness, observed apnoeas, blood pressure, BMI, age, neck circumference and sex. A higher score indicates higher risk.
- A partner's account — witnessed pauses in breathing are one of the most useful pieces of information you can bring to an appointment.
It helps to arrive with a short written record: two weeks of bedtimes, wake times, how rested you felt, and any snoring or choking your partner has noticed.
Step 2 — Overnight testing
Home sleep apnoea test
The usual first test for suspected obstructive sleep apnoea. A portable device records, for one or more nights in your own bed:
- Airflow through a soft nasal cannula
- Breathing effort via an elastic chest and/or abdominal band
- Oxygen saturation and pulse via a fingertip probe
- Body position and snoring sound on some devices
Practical tips: follow your normal routine, avoid alcohol that evening, sleep in your usual position and do not remove sensors if you wake. Data from a fairly typical night is more valuable than a perfect night's sleep.
In-laboratory polysomnography
An overnight stay with fuller monitoring, including brain activity and leg movements. Reserved for uncertain results, suspected central sleep apnoea, significant heart or lung disease, or when another sleep disorder is suspected.
Step 3 — Understanding your results
Results are usually summarised as the apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI), the average number of breathing events per hour of sleep, alongside oxygen desaturation measures.
- Under 5 — within the normal range
- 5 to 14 — mild
- 15 to 29 — moderate
- 30 or more — severe
Treatment decisions are made on symptoms as well as numbers: someone with mild AHI but severe sleepiness may be treated, while someone with a higher index and no symptoms may be managed differently. Only your clinician can interpret your report.
Step 4 — After diagnosis
If sleep apnoea is confirmed you will usually be offered CPAP, a mandibular advancement device, or lifestyle and positional measures, with follow-up to check how treatment is going. From that point the priority shifts to consistency and tracking — see sleep apnoea monitoring for what is worth recording and why.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get tested for sleep apnoea in the UK?
See your GP first. If your symptoms and screening score suggest sleep apnoea, they can refer you to an NHS sleep service, which will usually arrange a home sleep apnoea test. Private sleep clinics also offer testing directly.
What is a home sleep apnoea test like?
You collect or are posted a small recorder, wear it in your own bed for one or more nights, and return it. Sensors typically include a nasal cannula, a chest or abdominal band and a fingertip oxygen probe. It is not painful and most people sleep reasonably well with it.
What AHI counts as severe sleep apnoea?
The apnoea–hypopnoea index is commonly graded as normal below 5 events per hour, mild 5 to 14, moderate 15 to 29 and severe 30 or more. Your clinic interprets this alongside your symptoms and oxygen levels — the number alone does not decide treatment.
Can I test myself for sleep apnoea at home with an app?
No. Screening questionnaires and apps can indicate whether you are at higher risk and are worth discussing with your GP, but a diagnosis requires a validated overnight recording interpreted by a sleep service.