People that are most likely to develop sleep apnea are the ones that are overweight and/or snore loudly. Any abnormality in the nose, throat or other parts of the upper airway can contribute to the condition as well as high blood pressure.
Although sleep apnea affects more middle-aged men, one out of 50 middle-aged women suffers from sleep apnea.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, studies show that people with moderate-to-severe sleep apnea are three to four times more likely to have a stroke. Approximately 50 percent of those with sleep apnea have high blood pressure and are at risk for a heart attack, proving this condition can be fatal if not treated.
Children are not free from this sleep apnea. If your child sleeps in strange positions, has confusion upon awakening, has morning headaches among other symptoms he/she may suffer from childhood sleep apnea. A sleep test, called polysomnography is usually done to diagnose this condition.
Read more on Sleep Apnea.
