What a sleep study is
A sleep study is a test that records, over one night, what the body does while you sleep: how you breathe, how much oxygen is in your blood, how your heart beats, what position you are in and how much you move.
Done at home, it avoids travel and a night away from your own environment. The sensors are placed by you — after being shown how — or by the team at delivery, and cause no pain or significant discomfort.
Which tests we run
Cardiorespiratory study
The most used test in diagnosing sleep apnea. It records airflow, chest and abdominal respiratory effort, blood oxygen, heart rate, body position and snoring.
Home polysomnography
Adds recording of brain activity, eye movements and muscle tone, allowing sleep stages to be identified. Indicated when the architecture of sleep needs to be characterised.
Actigraphy
A watch-like device, worn for one to two weeks, that records activity and rest cycles. Useful in insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders.
Overnight oximetry
Continuous overnight recording of blood oxygen. Used as a complement or in specific screening and follow-up contexts.
How it works, step by step
- In consultation, the specialist decides which test is indicated for your case.
- Delivery, set-up and collection of the equipment are scheduled with you in advance.
- Our team or partner comes to your home, installs the equipment and explains how to use it.
- You sleep normally, in your own bed and usual routine.
- The next day the equipment is collected at your home — you do not have to travel.
- The recording is analysed by a sleep medicine specialist and the report is sent to you digitally.
- The results are explained to you in consultation and an individualised treatment plan is drawn up for your case.
Where we carry out the tests
We carry out home sleep tests across mainland Portugal. Availability for Madeira and the Azores is assessed case by case — get in touch and we will confirm whether the test can be done in your region.
On average, the path from first contact to diagnosis takes about 15 days.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The sensors are light and designed for sleep. The first half hour can feel odd, but the vast majority of people sleep a perfectly representative night — and the test is interpreted with that in mind.
It happens, and in most cases the recording remains valid. If a sensor comes loose, simply reposition it as explained and go back to sleep. If the recording turns out insufficient, we repeat the test.
The report and explanation of results are delivered in a follow-up consultation, typically about two weeks after the test. The whole process can be done without leaving home.
Educational information reviewed by our clinical team. It does not replace an individual medical consultation.