Being diagnosed with sleep apnea can raise a lot of questions — especially about what it might mean for your health over time. Many people worry about how disrupted sleep, ongoing fatigue, or related health issues could affect their future. If you’ve found yourself thinking about life expectancy or long-term impact, you’re not alone.

Sleep apnea is a common chronic, or long-term, health condition. It causes your breathing to stop and restart while you sleep, which prevents your organs and tissues from getting enough oxygen. Research shows that sleep apnea raises your risk of heart disease and early death. Fortunately, sleep apnea treatments can significantly reduce these risks.

In this article, we’ll look at how sleep apnea may affect life expectancy, what the risks are when it goes untreated, and how treatment can make a meaningful difference over time.

Does Sleep Apnea Affect Life Expectancy?

Having sleep apnea can raise your risk of serious health conditions that may shorten your life expectancy. For example, sleep apnea is more common in people with obesity, which also raises the risk of heart disease and diabetes. These health problems can raise your risk of complications.

People with untreated sleep apnea don’t get enough oxygen while they sleep. When your body doesn’t get enough oxygen, it can affect many organs and systems. For instance, drops in oxygen can put stress on the heart and blood vessels, leading to hypertension (high blood pressure) and other heart problems.

When blood oxygen levels drop, your heart rate and blood pressure rise. This can strain the heart and cause chronic inflammation in the blood vessels. Over time, this inflammation can damage blood vessels and lead to atherosclerosis, a condition that causes them to harden and narrow. Atherosclerosis is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Studies that look at large groups of people suggest that heart-related deaths linked to sleep apnea are highest among Black adults and males. This is a population trend, so it does not mean every person in these groups will have the same risk.

Health Risks Associated With Untreated Sleep Apnea

Research shows that untreated sleep apnea can greatly increase the risk of serious heart problems. A 2025 study found that untreated obstructive sleep apnea increases your risk of heart failure by 140 percent, coronary heart disease by 30 percent, and stroke by 60 percent.

Uncontrolled sleep apnea can lead to several serious health problems, many of which may shorten life expectancy. Untreated sleep apnea may raise your risk of the following health conditions:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — While GERD does not usually affect your life expectancy, it can cause damage to the esophagus and raise the risk of esophageal cancer.
• Type 2 diabetes — This condition can reduce your life expectancy by 6 years.
• Asthma — Untreated sleep apnea may worsen asthma symptoms. Frequent asthma attacks are linked to a higher risk of death than well-controlled asthma.
• Chronic kidney disease — Chronic kidney disease causes serious kidney damage that shortens your life expectancy.
• Metabolic syndrome — People with metabolic syndrome have a higher risk of death due to heart disease, diabetes, and all causes.
• Hypertension — Living with high blood pressure significantly increases your risk of heart disease and death.
• Heart attack — People who experience a heart attack are more likely to have another one in the future. This can affect your life expectancy and quality of life.
• Stroke — Experiencing a stroke may shorten your life expectancy by 5.5 years, depending on the type.
• Dementia — Dementia affects your life expectancy and increases the risk for several complications, including diabetes and heart disease.
• Certain cancers, including skin, renal, and pancreatic — Some research suggests that untreated sleep apnea may be linked to a higher risk of certain cancers, which can affect life expectancy depending on the type and stage.

Sleep apnea doesn’t only affect your long-term health — it can also affect the people around you, such as your partner. If you share a bed with someone, your snoring or breathing pauses may keep them awake at night. Over time, this can lead to ongoing sleep loss and may raise their risk of health problems.

How Does Treatment Affect Life Expectancy With Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea can raise the risk of death, but treatment greatly lowers that risk. The goal of sleep apnea treatment is to provide your body with the right amount of oxygen while you sleep. This can be done by removing blockages from your airway or by providing pressurized air overnight.

A common treatment option for sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This machine uses a mask to keep steady air pressure in your airway so it stays open at night. It helps you breathe normally. Research from Johns Hopkins Medicine shows that people who use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea have lower blood pressure and a better quality of life.

Using a CPAP machine regularly can reduce your risk of:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Death due to heart complications

Your risk of serious complications, including death, increases the longer you go without treatment. However, it’s not always easy to get care. Barriers like limited insurance coverage or a shortage of sleep apnea specialists can make it harder to get the help you need.

The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Sleep Apnea

Following your healthcare team’s plan can reduce the risk of complications and improve symptoms. Research from the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine shows that early diagnosis and treatment improve success and quality of life.

A 2024 study found that people with sleep apnea who follow their treatment plans are less likely to visit the emergency department and be admitted to the hospital than those with untreated sleep apnea.

Don’t ignore sleep apnea symptoms. Start by connecting with a healthcare provider who can recommend the next steps. To find a provider covered by your insurance, call your insurance company or the hospital billing department. If you’re not sure where to start, consult your local health department. With proper care, people with sleep apnea can live full lives. Early treatment can improve quality of life and lower the risk of health problems.

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On MySleepApneaTeam, people share their experiences with sleep apnea, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

If you have sleep apnea, which treatments have been helpful for you? Let others know in the comments below.