Sleep apnea increases mortality rate

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

People who have sleep apnea may have a 10 times higher risk of dying than the general population, according to a new study.
In sleep apnea, a person stops breathing many times during sleep. The problem is linked to snoring, daytime sleepiness and fatigue. It has also been linked with high blood pressure and heart disease.

A new study from Israel now suggests that sleep apnea is also linked to increased mortality. A group of almost 15,000 men aged 20 or more were followed for ten years. Mortality increased with obesity and severity of the sleep apnea. And, contrary to expectation, it was the younger age group from 20 to 30 who were most affected by increased mortality. The study suggests that perhaps sleep apnea should be diagnosed earlier, rather waiting till it causes obvious symptoms. Those at risk, because of obesity or family history should be more carefully monitored.

Source
European Respiratory Journal March 2005

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