You may know you have sleep apnea from loud snoring or from feeling tired or irritable throughout the day. But it’s important to consider whether this condition could be causing more serious health problems, including some that have the potential to kill you.

Severe obstructive sleep apnea can cause serious, long-term health problems, like heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other metabolic conditions and heart and lung issues. It can also lead to motor vehicle accidents and affect how well your body functions, increasing the risk of life-threatening diseases like cancer and a compromised immune system.

Can Sleep Apnea Be Fatal? Understanding the Risks

Can sleep apnea kills you when you stop breathing, oxygen levels in your blood drop, and your brain triggers an adrenaline surge. This causes your blood pressure to increase, which can damage blood vessels and lead to cardiovascular problems in the long run.

It’s very rare for these brief episodes of apnea to kill you directly. But when you don’t get treated, the risks of apnea can greatly increase your chance of death from serious health conditions over time.

Luckily, sleep apnea is often diagnosed and treated by a doctor who specializes in treating sleep disorders. This type of doctor can order tests to monitor your breathing and oxygen levels during the night. They can also recommend other lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and improving eating habits, that will help reduce your symptoms. Having these simple changes in your life can drastically cut down on the risk of death from sleep apnea.