Am I at risk?

Sleep apnea, a condition that causes you to stop breathing during sleep, is associated with several other health problems. If you have a history of high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, or mood disorders, you could be at risk. The good news is that sleep apnea is treatable and treating your sleep apnea could improve your other health conditions.

A major risk factor for sleep apnea is being overweight. If you have a body mass index of 30 or higher, that increases your risk. A large neck size, 17+ inches for men and 16+ inches for women, also increases your risk of sleep apnea.  Sleep apnea can occur at any time but is more common between young adulthood and middle age. Sleep apnea is more common in men.

Take this quick quiz to assess your risk for obstructive sleep apnea.

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Are you at risk for obstructive sleep apnea?

OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA (OSA) is a serious condition that leads to trouble breathing during sleep. It is important to treat OSA if you have it. If you have a disruption in your breathing that lasts 10 seconds or more, it can be stressful to your brain and heart. People who have blockage in their breathing more than 15 times per hour of sleep are at a higher risk of:

  • Heart attacks
  • Heart failure
  • Heart rhythm problems
  • Strokes
  • Sleepiness that can lead to car crashes

This tool is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a validated assessment tool nor a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition.

Sleep apnea affects your nights and days

Sleep apnea has symptoms during sleep and in the daytime.

Common symptoms during sleep include:

  • Loud snoring
  • Pauses in breathing or gasping for breath
  • Waking often to use the bathroom
  • Insomnia
  • Nightmares
  • Unrefreshing sleep

During the day, people with sleep apnea may experience:

  • Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
  • Morning headaches
  • Moodiness and irritability
  • Decreased sexual desire or difficulty maintaining an erection
  • Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating
  • Drowsy driving

If you have these health conditions, risk factors, and/or nighttime or daytime symptoms of sleep apnea, talk to a medical provider about being screened for sleep apnea

If you are experiencing any sleep challenges, like snoring at night or feeling sleepy during the day, talk to your doctor and ask to be screened for sleep apnea.