The Danger in Sleep Apnea

Severe sleep apnea can cause more than just lost sleep. Constant gaps in breathing, sometimes as many as 30 per hour, can create elevated levels of blood pressure and increases in heart rate and force stress hormone levels involved in “fight or flight” to rise as well. A study in Wisconsin spanning over 14 years has revealed that a population of 1,522 healthy state workers, averaging 50 years of age, included as many as 365 who were diagnosed with sleep apnea and 63 with a severe condition. A review of death certificates indicated that, “over time, those with severe sleep apnea were more likely to die than those without the condition.” Being overweight at the obesity level seems to increase the potential for apnea since airways become more fatty, softer, and easier to collapse. Large tonsils, tight throat muscles, and a history of smoking are also risks for the condition. 

Terry Young, epidemiologist at the University of Wisconsin, said that even after adjusting for all differences such as age and gender, those with severe sleep apnea were more than 3 times as likely to die. However, Ms. Young also reported that sleep apnea is not usually fatal on its own. Deaths were generally attributed to heart and stroke issues as well as chronic inflammation caused by elevated stress hormones. Even when there is a successful way of treating the condition, many participants chose not to do it. They reported that wearing a small mask, which forced air through the nose or mouth, was “unattractive” or uncomfortable and the air-pumping machine was “too loud.”