While sleep apnea itself is not a common cause of death, it does increase complications in people with other serious medical conditions, such as heart disease.
Between 1999 and 2019, sleep apnea was determined to be an underlying cause of death in
People with sleep apnea have difficulty breathing or stop breathing for short periods while sleeping. This treatable sleep disorder often goes undiagnosed.
Researchers of a 2019 analysis estimate that nearly 1 billion adults 30 years and older have obstructive sleep apnea, the most common type. Sleep apnea is more common in men than in women. Children can also have sleep apnea.
Complications of sleep apnea
Without treatment, sleep apnea can lead to serious complications. It may lead to or worsen several life threatening conditions, including:
There are three types of sleep apnea:
- Central sleep apnea happens when your brain doesn’t send the right signals to the muscles that control your breathing.
- Obstructive sleep apnea happens when your airway narrows or becomes blocked. It’s the most common type.
- Complex sleep apnea is a combination of central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea causes hypoxia (low oxygen level in the body). When this happens, your body becomes stressed and reacts with a fight-or-flight response, which causes your heart to beat faster and your arteries to narrow.
Heart and vascular effects include:
- higher blood pressure
- higher heart rate
- higher blood volume
- more inflammation and stress
These effects increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
It’s well established that obstructive sleep apnea can raise your risk of stroke.
In addition, a 2021 review cites older studies that show obstructive sleep apnea is believed to:
- be responsible for 38,000 cardiovascular deaths each year
- increase risk of heart failure by 140%
- increase risk of stroke by 60%
- increase risk of coronary heart disease by 30%
A 2019 article looking at the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and sudden cardiac death suggests that a connection exists. Obstructive sleep apnea may increase the risk of sudden cardiac death, though researchers stopped short of stating the likelihood.
According to a 2022 review, between 20% and 60% of people with heart failure also have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can cause or worsen heart conditions.
Untreated central sleep apnea can double the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a type of irregular heartbeat. There’s also a
A 2023 study found that adults with obstructive sleep apnea had 1.5 times the risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with people without sleep apnea.
The most common symptom of sleep apnea is snoring. It’s typically associated with obstructive sleep apnea due to nasal passages being blocked or narrowed.
Other symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- pauses in breathing
- snorting or gasping
- dry mouth
- sore throat or coughing
- insomnia or difficulty staying asleep
- the need to sleep with your head raised
- headaches upon waking up
- daytime fatigue and sleepiness
- irritability and depression
- mood changes
- memory problems
If you share a bed with someone, they’re most likely to notice symptoms like snoring or gasping for breath at night.
Can you have sleep apnea without snoring?
The most well-known symptom of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring when you sleep. However, not everyone who has sleep apnea snores.
Similarly, snoring doesn’t always mean you have sleep apnea.
Other causes of snoring include sinus infection, nasal congestion, and large tonsils.
Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea works by keeping your airway open during sleep. A medical device that delivers continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) helps treat sleep apnea.
While you sleep, you must wear a CPAP mask that is connected by tubing to the running device. It uses air pressure to hold your airway open.
Another wearable device for sleep apnea delivers bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP). More recently, the
In some cases, a doctor may recommend surgery to treat sleep apnea.
Other treatments and remedies for sleep apnea include:
- losing weight if you have overweight or obesity
- quitting tobacco smoking (your doctor can create a cessation plan that’s right for you)
- avoiding alcohol
- avoiding sleeping pills
- avoiding sedatives and tranquilizers
- getting regular physical activity
- using a humidifier
- using nasal decongestants
- changing your sleeping position
You may not be aware that you have sleep apnea. Your partner or another family member may notice that you snore, snort, or stop breathing during sleep or that you wake up suddenly. Talk with a doctor if you think you might have sleep apnea.
Tell the doctor if you wake up tired or with a headache or feel depressed. Watch for symptoms like daytime fatigue, drowsiness, or falling asleep in front of the TV or at other times. Even mild sleep apnea can disrupt your sleep and lead to symptoms.
Sleep apnea is linked to several life threatening conditions. It may cause or worsen chronic illnesses like high blood pressure. Sleep apnea can lead to sudden cardiac death.
If you have a history of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, or another chronic illness, ask your doctor to test you for sleep apnea. Treatment may include getting a diagnosis at a sleep clinic and wearing a CPAP mask at night.
Treating your sleep apnea will improve your quality of life and may even help save your life.