Being older—2 to 3 times as likely than in younger
Have high blood pressure
Decrease in size of airway may be caused by congestion due to hay fever
Family history of apnea
Use of alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers
Complications
Serious complications can occur with sleep apnea. Your breathing becomes increasingly shallow or stops for 10-20 seconds. These pauses occur frequently during the night. When your sleep is disturbed, you can be quite sleepy the next day. If untreated, asleep apnea can lead to increased risk of coronary heart disease. Drops in oxygen levels during sleep increase the blood pressure. Over half of those with apnea have high blood pressure which brings an increased risk for stroke.
Another complication is excessive sleepiness during the day which can increase difficulty in concentrating. People may fall asleep at work or worse, while driving. People with apnea are five times more likely to have an accident according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
And of course, the bed partner is deprived of a good rest as loud snoring can be at 100 decibels. The sound of a chain saw or pneumatic drill is equal to 100 decibels. So it is not surprising that the bed partner cannot sleep. Usually, it is the spouse or family who first notices the apnea.
When to Consult a Physician
Most people do not think that snoring is a serious medical condition. You may not have all of the symptoms but if you experience particularly loud snoring, intermittent pauses in breathing during sleep, or extreme daytime sleepiness, you should be assessed by a physician.