View the Health Heart Book

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer
Connect with others who've been there. Share stories. Learn. Join Mayo Clinic's
online community.

Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Sleep apnea is considered a serious medical condition. Complications may include:

  • Cardiovascular problems. Sudden drops in blood oxygen levels that occur during sleep apnea increase blood pressure and strain the cardiovascular system. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, your risk of high blood pressure (hypertension) can be up to two to three times greater than if you don't. The more severe your sleep apnea, the greater the risk of high blood pressure. However, obstructive sleep apnea increases the risk of stroke, regardless of whether or not you have high blood pressure. If there's underlying heart disease, these multiple episodes of low blood oxygen (hypoxia or hypoxemia) can lead to sudden death from a cardiac event. Studies also show that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure and other vascular diseases.

    In contrast, central sleep apnea usually is the result, rather than the cause, of heart disease.

  • Daytime fatigue. The repeated awakenings associated with sleep apnea make normal, restorative sleep impossible. People with sleep apnea often experience severe daytime drowsiness, fatigue and irritability. You may have difficulty concentrating and find yourself falling asleep at work, while watching TV or even when driving. You may also feel irritable, moody or depressed. Children and adolescents with sleep apnea may do poorly in school or have behavior problems.
  • Complications with medications and surgery. Obstructive sleep apnea is also a concern with certain medications and general anesthesia. People with sleep apnea may be more likely to experience complications following major surgery because they're prone to breathing problems, especially when sedated and lying on their backs. Before you have surgery, tell your doctor that you have sleep apnea and how it's treated. Undiagnosed sleep apnea is especially risky in this situation.
  • Sleep-deprived partners. Loud snoring can keep those around you from getting good rest and eventually disrupt your relationships. It's not uncommon for a partner to go to another room, or even on another floor of the house, to be able to sleep. Many bed partners of people who snore are sleep deprived as well.

People with sleep apnea may also complain of memory problems, morning headaches, mood swings or feelings of depression, a need to urinate frequently at night (nocturia), and impotence. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be more prevalent in people with sleep apnea. Children with untreated sleep apnea may be hyperactive and may be diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Preparing for your appointment Risk factors
References
  1. What is sleep apnea? National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/sleep_apnea/sleep_apnea.htm. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  2. What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_Signs.html. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  3. Kline LR. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  4. What is sleep apnea? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_WhatIs.html. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  5. Badr MS. Central sleep apnea syndrome: Risk factors, clinical presentation, and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 13, 2010.
  6. Who is at risk for sleep apnea? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_WhoIsAtRisk.html. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  7. Feinsilver SH. Sleep apnea in the elderly. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  8. Ropper AH, et al. Sleep and its abnormalities: Introduction. In: Ropper AH, et al. Adams and Victor's Neurology. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3633173. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  9. Culebras A. Sleep related breathing disorders and stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  10. Punjabi NM, et al. Sleep-disordered breathing and mortality: A prospective cohort study. PLoS Medicine. 2009;6:e1000132. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2722083/pdf/pmed.1000132.pdf. Accessed March 31, 2010.
  11. In brief: Your guide to healthy sleep. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/healthy_sleep.pdf. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  12. 12. Brain basics: Understanding sleep. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  13. Treatment options for adults with obstructive sleep apnea. American Sleep Apnea Association. http://www.sleepapnea.org/resources/pubs/treatment.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  14. Suzuki M, et al. Arousals in obstructive sleep apnea patients with laryngopharyngeal and gastroesophageal reflux. Sleep Medicine. 2010;11:e356-360. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6W6N-4YK8MJY-2&_user=130561&_coverDate=04%2F30%2F2010&_rdoc=8&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%236603%232010%23999889995%231805742%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=6603&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=23&_acct=C000010878&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=130561&md5=72b6fee84cfca855367469db358343a5. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  15. Understanding sleep apnea: Know all of the facts. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.sleepeducation.com/ArticlePrinterFriendly.aspx?id=21&DType=0. Accessed April 10, 2010.
  16. How is sleep apnea treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_Treatments.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  17. Kryger MH. Management of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  18. Considering surgery for OSA? American Sleep Apnea Association. http://www.sleepapnea.org/resources/pubs/osa.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  19. Badr MS. Central sleep apnea syndrome: Treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  20. Freire AO, et al. Treatment of moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with acupuncture: A randomised, placebo-controlled pilot trial. Sleep Medicine. 2007;8:43.
  21. Collop N. Portable monitoring in obstructive sleep apnea in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  22. Redolfi S, et al. Relationship between overnight rostral fluid shift and obstructive sleep apnea in nonobese men. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2009;179:241.
  23. Morgenthaler TI (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 14, 2010.
  24. Badr MS. Central sleep apnea syndrome: Risk factors, clinical presentation, and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 22, 2010.
  25. Tamisier R, et al. Cardiovascular effects of obstructive sleep apnea. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 22, 2010.
DS00148 June 29, 2010

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger