Many people snore at night or feel tired during the day and think it is normal. But for some, these signs may point to a hidden condition called obstructive sleep apnea. This condition can quietly damage the body for years without being noticed.
New research to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026) in Istanbul has revealed how serious this condition can be.
Scientists from Imperial College Health Partners and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London, working with Eli Lilly and Company, found that people with sleep apnea have a 71 percent higher risk of heart problems or death compared to those without it.
Sleep apnea occurs when the airway becomes blocked during sleep. This stops breathing for short periods and reduces oxygen levels in the body. The brain reacts by waking the person up briefly to restart breathing. This can happen dozens or even hundreds of times each night, even if the person does not remember it.
Because of this, people with sleep apnea often feel tired during the day. But the effects go far beyond tiredness. The repeated drops in oxygen and poor sleep quality can put a heavy strain on the heart. Over time, this can increase the risk of serious conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure.
Obesity is one of the biggest risk factors for sleep apnea. Extra fat around the neck can narrow the airway, making it easier to collapse during sleep. Many people with sleep apnea are also overweight, and the two conditions often make each other worse.
In this study, researchers analyzed health records from nearly 2.9 million people in North-West London. They compared over 20,000 people diagnosed with sleep apnea with almost 100,000 similar individuals who did not have the condition.
The study followed these individuals for up to four years. The researchers looked at how many people experienced serious heart-related events or died during that time.
The findings showed a clear difference. More than one in four people with sleep apnea experienced a serious event or died, compared with less than one in five people without the condition. This large gap highlights the serious risks linked to sleep apnea.
The researchers also found that people with sleep apnea were more likely to develop other health conditions. These included diabetes, joint problems, anxiety, and depression. They also needed more medical care, including more visits to doctors and more time in hospital.
Despite these risks, sleep apnea is often not diagnosed. Many people do not realize their symptoms are serious, and some do not seek help. Even when diagnosed, not everyone uses treatments such as CPAP machines, which help keep the airway open during sleep.
This study suggests that improving awareness and early screening could make a big difference. If people at risk are identified earlier, they can receive treatment sooner and reduce their chances of serious health problems.
Looking at the findings, this study provides strong real-world evidence that sleep apnea is linked to major health risks. The large sample size and detailed data make the results reliable. However, like many large health studies, it cannot prove that sleep apnea directly causes these outcomes.
Other factors may also play a role. Even so, the strong link found in this research shows that sleep apnea should be taken seriously. Better diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle changes such as weight management could help reduce these risks and improve long-term health outcomes.
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Source: Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
