{"id":1849,"date":"2026-02-18T22:34:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T22:34:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sleepdunwoody.com\/blog\/?p=1849"},"modified":"2026-03-10T05:02:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T05:02:06","slug":"how-does-sleep-apnea-affect-life-expectancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sleepdunwoody.com\/blog\/2026\/02\/18\/how-does-sleep-apnea-affect-life-expectancy\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does Sleep Apnea Affect Life Expectancy?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When it comes to sleep apnea<\/a>, many people simply view its symptoms as annoyances. After all, loud snoring is one that often happens. While it may not seem like much of a big deal, it can have serious complications. This condition may actually affect life expectancy in some ways, but just what are the risks of untreated sleep apnea? Here\u2019s all you need to know about its effect on lifespan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s Sleep Apnea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a quick reminder, this sleep disorder can make a person to wake up repeatedly during the night due to interrupted breathing. The most common form of it is obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, but it occurs when your throat muscles relax and collapse, blocking your airways. Aside from loud snoring, many people also experience daytime drowsiness, trouble concentrating, and increased irritability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Untreated Sleep Apnea Affect My Life Expectancy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When someone has OSA, the effects of it can go beyond the ones mentioned above. Their quality of life may not be as high as systemic conditions can worsen. Heart disease, diabetes, depression, blood pressure, and liver health are some that can become affected. Not only that, but it’s more likely for them to fall ill or end up in an accident while driving or at work. All of these can increase the risk of a patient experiencing potentially fatal consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While sleep apnea can cause a wide range of problems for you, your sleep dentist is here to give you the treatment you deserve. They will help you confirm a diagnosis, then give their recommended solutions you can benefit from, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n