Can Sleep Apnea Kill You?
Medically reviewed by Linda Girgis | MD, Girgis Family Medicine on August 20th, 2026.
Yes, untreated sleep apnea can be fatal through increased risks of heart attack, stroke, and accidents. Sleep apnea disrupts oxygen flow during sleep, causing repeated breathing interruptions that strain your cardiovascular system. Studies show untreated severe sleep apnea increases death risk by 46% over an 18-year period. The condition raises blood pressure, triggers irregular heart rhythms, and increases stroke risk by 2-4 times. Additionally, excessive daytime sleepiness from sleep apnea causes drowsy driving accidents, responsible for over 6,000 fatal crashes annually. Early diagnosis and treatment with CPAP therapy, oral appliances, or lifestyle changes significantly reduce these life-threatening complications and restore normal sleep patterns.
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