A sleep-apnoea assessment investigates repeated reductions or pauses in breathing during sleep. An overnight breathing recording is often done at home. The result needs to be interpreted alongside symptoms, the quality of the recording and your wider health.
Snoring alone does not establish sleep apnoea. Tell the clinician about witnessed breathing pauses, repeated awakenings, morning headaches and daytime sleepiness. If sleepiness could make you fall asleep while driving or doing safety-critical work, avoid that activity and contact healthcare.
Getting assessed in Sweden
A vårdcentral can assess your symptoms and decide whether a referral or another investigation is appropriate. Pathways differ between regions. Before booking a private assessment, ask who interprets the recording and who provides treatment and follow-up if it confirms a problem.
An online discussion can help organise the history, but it is not the overnight measurement itself. A watch sleep score or a recording of snoring cannot replace the clinical assessment.
Checklist before your overnight recording
- Ask how to fit the sensors and check that the device is working.
- Confirm the instructions for your usual medicines and evening routine. Do not change treatment on your own.
- Find out what to do if a sensor comes loose or you cannot sleep.
- Record approximate sleep and waking times and whether the night was unusual.
- Confirm when to return the equipment and how the result will be explained.
The equipment may measure airflow, breathing movements, oxygen saturation and body position. Missing signals can make a result difficult to interpret. Tell the service if you slept much less than usual or had difficulty using the equipment; the clinician may consider a repeat or a more detailed investigation.
Understanding AHI and the rest of the report
The report may give an apnoea–hypopnoea index, AHI, or a related measure of breathing events per hour. Ask which measure was used and what it means for the type of recording you had. Oxygen levels, daytime symptoms and other conditions also matter when deciding on treatment.
Useful questions include: Was the recording technically adequate? Do the findings explain my symptoms? What should happen if I remain sleepy despite a result that seems reassuring? An isolated score is not a complete treatment plan.
CPAP, an oral appliance or other measures?
| Option | Ask before deciding |
|---|---|
| CPAP or APAP | How will the mask be fitted, and who helps with leaks, dryness or difficulty using it? |
| A fitted sleep-apnoea oral appliance | Are my teeth, jaw and type of sleep apnoea suitable, and how is effectiveness checked? |
| Other individual measures | Would sleeping position, nasal symptoms, alcohol habits or weight management be relevant for me? |
A standard mouth guard for tooth grinding is not the same as a sleep-apnoea appliance. Treatment choice and follow-up should be individual. Contact the prescribing service if CPAP is uncomfortable or seems ineffective rather than simply abandoning the treatment.
Fees and practical arrangements
Fees and equipment arrangements vary by region and by public or private care. Request a current breakdown covering the assessment, recording, interpretation, equipment, fitting and follow-up. Also ask who pays for replacement parts and how to contact support. This guide does not quote a national price or confirm that Hagakliniken supplies this equipment.
Common questions
Can I have sleep apnoea without noticing breathing pauses myself?
Yes. A partner may notice pauses while you are asleep. Tell the clinician about observations from others as well as your own symptoms.
Does one recording explain every cause of tiredness?
No. Persistent tiredness may need further assessment even after the breathing result has been discussed.
Sources and further reading
- 1177: Obstruktiv sömnapné (in Swedish)
- 1177 för vårdpersonal: Obstruktiv sömnapné hos vuxna (in Swedish)
- 1177: Frågor och svar vid behandling med CPAP (in Swedish)
Sources and links checked on 22 October 2026. Editorial team: Hagakliniken. This is general information and does not replace an individual medical assessment.