Many people think of sleep as a time when the body rests and recovers. But for millions of people around the world, sleep is not as peaceful as it should be.
A condition called obstructive sleep apnea, often shortened to OSA, can quietly disturb breathing during sleep and slowly harm the body over time.
A new large study to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026) in Istanbul, Turkey, has found that people living with sleep apnea face a much higher risk of serious health problems.
The research, carried out by scientists from Imperial College Health Partners and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London, with support from Eli Lilly and Company, shows that people with sleep apnea have a 71 percent higher risk of heart-related events or death compared with people without the condition.
Sleep apnea happens when the airway becomes blocked again and again during sleep. This causes breathing to stop for short periods. The body then wakes up briefly to restart breathing, often without the person noticing. This cycle can happen many times each night, leading to poor sleep quality and low oxygen levels in the blood.
Over time, this repeated stress can put pressure on the heart and blood vessels. It can raise blood pressure, disturb normal heart rhythms, and increase inflammation in the body. These changes help explain why sleep apnea is linked to heart disease.
The connection between sleep apnea and obesity is also very strong. Around 40 to 70 percent of people with sleep apnea are overweight or obese. Extra weight, especially around the neck, can narrow the airway and make it easier to collapse during sleep. At the same time, sleep apnea can make it harder to lose weight, creating a harmful cycle.
In this study, researchers used electronic health records from nearly 2.9 million people living in North-West London. They compared more than 20,000 people diagnosed with sleep apnea to nearly 100,000 similar people without the condition. These groups were matched carefully based on factors such as age, smoking status, weight, and existing health conditions.
The researchers followed participants for up to four years. During this time, they looked at how many people experienced cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes, or died from any cause.
The results were clear and concerning. About 26 percent of people with sleep apnea experienced a serious event or death, compared with about 17 percent of those without sleep apnea. This means the risk was significantly higher in those with the condition.
The study also found that people with sleep apnea were more likely to develop other health problems. These included obesity, diabetes, joint problems like osteoarthritis, as well as mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. In addition, people with sleep apnea used more healthcare services, including more visits to doctors and more hospital stays.
Although treatments for sleep apnea exist, such as CPAP machines that help keep the airway open during sleep, many people are not diagnosed or do not receive treatment. This makes the problem even more serious.
These findings highlight the importance of early detection and treatment. Identifying sleep apnea early can help reduce the risk of heart disease and improve overall health. Managing weight and adopting healthier lifestyles may also play an important role in reducing the severity of the condition.
In reviewing this study, it is clear that sleep apnea is not just a sleep problem but a major health risk. The large number of participants and real-world data make the findings strong and meaningful.
However, as this is an observational study, it shows a strong link but cannot fully prove cause and effect. Even so, the evidence strongly suggests that better screening, earlier diagnosis, and more effective management of sleep apnea could help prevent serious health outcomes and reduce pressure on healthcare systems.
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Source: Imperial College Health Partners.
