Can sleep apnea kill you?

Posted by Marry Grover on April 2nd, 2023

If someone you love is suffering from sleep apnea, the condition can be quite scary. After all, watching someone you care for stop breathing altogether, even for a few seconds, is not usual. Therefore, it can be terrifying and alarming. Besides, sleep apnea is a severe condition as the oxygen supply to the brain stops in people with this problem. Thus, if you or someone you love has sleep apnea, you must know how severe is this health problem and whether it can cause death. For those interested in finding these answers, more information is provided below. Have a look!

Is sleep apnea serious?

The condition is a sleep disorder whose severity varies on a case-by-case basis. In adults, it is normal for the breathing to stop up to five times in an hour, while with children, the pause can occur once an hour. These disruptions may happen as part of normal sleep stage transitions. However, if the number of pauses increases, sleep apnea may be the cause. Based on AHI, the condition can be classified into the following stages: 

• Mild: 5-14 events every hour

• Moderate: 15-30 events every hour

• Severe: More than 30 events per hour

You must know that the degree of oxygen deprivation that accompanies an episode is crucial for calculating the risk sleep apnea poses to an individual's life. The oxygen levels may drop even more if the patient also has heart or lung disease. As a result, the stress on the body can be a lot. 

Can sleep apnea result in death?

It is extremely rare for a person to die from sleep apnea itself. However, the condition can lead to other fatal short and long-term health issues, which can cause sudden death.

Short-term Risks:

The breathing pauses caused because of sleep apnea can provoke cardiac arrhythmia. It can complicate the condition and lead to cardiac arrest. Also, the patient can develop atrial fibrillation, stroke, and heart attack. Experts suggest that the possibility of these issues is higher in the morning. Studies reveal that the risk of sudden death between midnight and 6 a.m. is 2.5 times greater for people with obstructive sleep apnea. However, this should not cause worry as using the sleep apnea machine or CPAP can improve sleep apnea. It lowers the risk of severe complications and chances of cardiac problems.

Chronic Risks:

Existing evidence suggests that having untreated sleep apnea for a long period can cause health problems. It increases the possibility of developing higher blood pressure, diabetes, and heart problems. The condition is also linked with mental health issues like depression and Alzheimer's. Moreover, sleep apnea causes the patient to feel sleepy during the day and can lead to road or work accidents.

So, whereas OSA is not fatal and life-threatening, you should note that curing the condition can protect you from developing diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, atrial fibrillation, or cardiac arrest.