Can sleep apnea kill you, it won’t kill you directly from the breath pauses of sleep apnea, but untreated sleep apnea will increase your risk for serious long-term health conditions that can shorten your life. Those conditions include heart disease, high blood pressure, metabolic diseases like diabetes, motor vehicle accidents, and an impaired immune system response.

Obstructive sleep apnea happens when your airways become completely or partially blocked while you’re asleep. These episodes can prevent oxygen from getting to your brain and other organs. Over time, this can damage the tissues of your throat and raise your risk for other health problems.

Can Sleep Apnea Be Fatal? The Risks You Should Know

Those health problems include cancer (people with moderate or severe sleep apnea are 2 to 3 times more likely to get it than other people) and type 2 diabetes (the repeated low oxygen levels can cause insulin resistance). Sleep apnea may also raise your risk for depression and interfere with your memory.

People with obstructive sleep apnea often feel tired and irritable on a daily basis, even after a full night’s sleep. This condition can also cause snoring and can disturb the rest of your bed partner.

A doctor can diagnose sleep apnea by observing you during sleep or using at-home testing equipment that measures your heart rate, blood oxygen levels and breathing patterns. Treatment options range from weight loss to removing your tonsils or adenoids, to surgery to remove your uvula and palate or a tracheostomy for very severe cases of sleep apnea. You should be sure to follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatment and follow-up visits.