People with sleep apnea face 71% higher risk of heart problems or early death

People with obstructive sleep apnea often snore loudly, wake up frequently during the night, and feel very tired during the day because their sleep quality is poor.

In Short

• Sleep apnea causes repeated airway blockage during sleep
• People with sleep apnea have poor sleep quality and daytime tiredness
• Study analysed 2.9 million health records from London

A new study has found that people living with Obstructive Sleep Apnea face a much higher risk of serious heart problems or even death compared with those who do not have the condition.

The research, which will be presented at the European Congress on Obesity 2026 in Istanbul in May, found that adults with sleep apnea had a 71% higher chance of experiencing heart-related events or dying from any cause.

The study was conducted by researchers from Imperial College Health Partners, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company, which sponsored the research.

WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder where a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This happens when the airway becomes blocked for short periods.

People with the condition often snore loudly, wake up frequently during the night, and feel very tired during the day because their sleep quality is poor.

Doctors say the condition is closely linked with excess weight. Studies show that 40% to 70% of people with sleep apnea are overweight or obese, and the problem tends to be more severe in people with obesity.

LOOKING AT MILLIONS OF HEALTH RECORDS

To understand how sleep apnea affects long-term health, researchers analysed electronic health records of 2.9 million people living in north-west London.

They identified 20,300 adults diagnosed with sleep apnea and compared them with 97,412 people of similar age and health background who did not have the condition.

Participants were followed for up to four years to see who developed heart problems or died.

HIGHER RISK OF HEART EVENTS AND DEATH

The findings showed a clear difference between the two groups.

Within four years:

• 26.3% of people with sleep apnea experienced a major heart event or died
• 17.5% of people without sleep apnea had the same outcome

Overall, people with sleep apnea had a 71% higher risk of these outcomes.

Heart events included conditions such as heart attack and stroke.

OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS ALSO MORE COMMON

The researchers also found that people with sleep apnea were more likely to develop other health conditions over time.

Compared with people without the disorder, they had higher rates of:

• Obesity
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Osteoarthritis
• Anxiety
• Depression

People with sleep apnea also visited doctors and hospitals more frequently than those without the condition.

MANY PEOPLE REMAIN UNDIAGNOSED

Although treatments exist, experts say sleep apnea is still widely missed or untreated.

A common therapy is the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, which helps keep the airway open during sleep by delivering a steady flow of air through a mask.

However, many people with the condition never get tested or treated.

EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND WEIGHT CONTROL ARE KEY

Heather Fitzke, a co-author of the study from Imperial College Health Partners in London, said the findings highlight the importance of spotting the condition early.

According to the researchers, better screening for sleep apnea and improved weight management could help reduce the risk of serious health complications linked to the disorder.

They added that this is one of the largest studies outside the United States to examine how sleep apnea affects heart health and survival in the real world.

- Ends