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Sleep apnea doesn’t just cause snoring, fatigue, and insomnia. While it may be easy to write your symptoms off as a bad night’s sleep, sleep apnea is a serious medical condition with an alarming lack of public awareness. In fact, according to sleep neurologist Dr. Guy Leschziner, most people with sleep apnea don’t even know they have it. “We estimate that somewhere in the region of about 80% of people don't know they have sleep apnea. So, the vast majority of people with obstructive sleep apnea remain undiagnosed.”
More than that, people are unaware of how far-reaching the long-term effects of sleep apnea can be. “We know that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with a range of health issues: diabetes, high blood pressure, and hypercholesterolemia. It is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, and cardiac arrhythmias. It's also associated with an increased risk of stroke.” So, what are the most important long-term consequences of sleep apnea to be aware of?
Hypertension
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a serious condition that can result from sleep apnea. The repeated drops in oxygen levels during sleep put extra strain on your blood vessels by increasing blood pressure. Over time, this can result in chronic hypertension if left untreated. Your risk of developing hypertension also increases depending on the severity of your sleep apnea, with severe cases having a significantly higher risk.
Atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is a rapid and irregular heart rhythm that can increase your risk of stroke and other heart problems. The pressure changes in your chest during apnea episodes can put stress on your heart, causing the chambers to beat out of sync, and it was found that patients with sleep apnea have an 88% higher likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation.
Stroke
Stroke is another serious result of long-term, untreated sleep apnea. The repeated lack of oxygen that occurs during the night causes hypoxia in the brain, leading to an increased risk of ischemic stroke, in which blood supply to the brain is cut off, causing brain cells to die within minutes. Apart from the risk of stroke itself, patients with untreated sleep apnea also face a slower recovery after the event.
Heart failure
The compounding effects of sleep apnea on the heart can have a devastating effect over the years. The combination of hypoxia and pressure changes can lead to ventricular strain and atrial enlargement. These physical changes in the heart increase the likelihood of developing heart failure, as well as the worsening of other heart conditions. The presence of sleep apnea in people who suffer from heart failure is incredibly high, at around 50%.
Metabolic issues
Sleep apnea doesn’t just impact the cardiovascular system, but it can even affect our metabolism. The frequent micro-awakenings and lack of oxygen can impact our metabolic system in a variety of ways, altering things like insulin resistance and the hormones that control our appetite, leading to overeating and weight gain.
Dementia
According to Dr. Leschziner, sleep apnea also has an impact on our brains. “There's a system within the brain called the glymphatic system, which is responsible for removing toxins and metabolites from the brain overnight, and sleep disruption can cause that system not to work quite as well as it should.” Sleep apnea disproportionately affects people over the age of 65, and studies suggest that untreated sleep apnea can even contribute to the onset of dementia.
Mood disorders
The long-term consequences of untreated sleep apnea not only impact the body but also the mind. Sleep is essential to our well-being, and chronic poor sleep and daytime fatigue can lead to irritability, mood swings, and lower quality of life, which can lead to serious mood disorders like depression and anxiety.
Kidney failure
The chronic hypertension and hypoxia that result from sleep apnea episodes can also put you at a higher risk for kidney dysfunction and chronic renal failure. Interestingly, the association between sleep apnea and chronic kidney disease goes both ways, with patients with end-stage CKD being more likely to develop sleep apnea.
Wondering if sleep apnea is affecting you? Take a few seconds to check out the Dumbo Health Sleep Quiz, and with a few simple questions, you can begin your treatment journey today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can untreated sleep apnea really shorten your life?
Yes. Severe, untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with a threefold increase in the risk of death from any cause, according to the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort study. Treatment with CPAP or other therapies can significantly lower this risk.
How does sleep apnea affect the brain over time?
Chronic oxygen deprivation from repeated apneas can damage brain tissue and impair memory, focus, and decision-making. Long-term studies have linked untreated OSA to faster cognitive decline and a higher risk of dementia.
Is there a connection between sleep apnea and mental health?
Yes. Poor sleep quality and constant nighttime awakenings often lead to mood swings, anxiety, and depression. Treating OSA has been shown to improve mental well-being and reduce symptoms of depression.
Does sleep apnea increase the risk of autoimmune disease?
Emerging evidence suggests that it does. Research shows that patients with OSA have nearly double the risk of developing autoimmune conditions over time, likely due to chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation.
Why does sleep apnea raise cardiovascular risk so much?
Each apnea event triggers a surge of stress hormones, spikes in blood pressure, and oxygen drops. Over time, this cycle damages blood vessels, strains the heart, and increases the likelihood of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, stroke, and heart failure.
Can the damage from sleep apnea be reversed?
Some effects, like daytime sleepiness, blood pressure elevation, and arrhythmia recurrence risk, improve significantly once OSA is treated with CPAP or other interventions. However, long-term structural changes to the heart or brain may only partially improve, so early diagnosis is key.
Wondering if sleep apnea is affecting you? Take a few seconds to check out the Dumbo Health Sleep Quiz, and with a few simple questions, you can begin your treatment journey today.
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