Doctors warn it could signal a hidden stroke risk

Sleep apnea, especially Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), is increasingly recognised as a hidden trigger behind strokes and heart disease, affecting both older adults and an alarming number of younger people with sedentary lifestyles. 

Sleep apnea occurs when a person’s airway repeatedly collapses or becomes blocked during sleep, interrupting breathing dozens of times a night. The result? The brain and body are repeatedly starved of oxygen — a process that silently raises blood pressure, thickens blood, and damages blood vessels over time.

According to Dr Kulkarni, “Around 50–70% of people who experience a stroke also suffer from sleep apnea. Yet, it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated.”He adds that even people who are already managing common stroke risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol can still experience recurrent strokes if their underlying sleep apnea remains untreated.

The new-age risk factor for a sedentary generation

The rise of desk jobs, late-night screens, and minimal physical activity has led to an increase in both obesity and metabolic syndrome, conditions that make OSA more likely.

Dr Kulkarni notes that the prevalence of sleep apnea among individuals who have already suffered a stroke is over 50%, regardless of whether the apnea is mild or severe. “Even young adults are now showing recurrent strokes linked to untreated OSA,” he warns.

How to know if you might have sleep apnea

Some signs of OSA are so subtle that they go unnoticed for years. Watch out for:

• Loud habitual snoring
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Morning headaches or dry mouth
• Difficulty concentrating or mood swings

Diagnosis is confirmed by a simple sleep study. The severity is measured using the Apnea–Hypopnea Index (AHI) — the number of pauses in breathing per hour of sleep.

Treatment and lifestyle changes that help

AHI greater than 15 defines moderate to severe OSA, and physicians generally recommend the use of CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy, wherein a mask-based machine keeps the airways open at night.

Simple lifestyle changes often do wonders for mild cases:

• Exercising regularly to lose weight
• Avoiding alcohol before bedtime
• Maintaining regular sleep patterns
• Sleeping on your side rather than on your back

Besides the improvement in energy and mood, the risk of stroke recurrence falls dramatically with treatment, leading to a better quality of life.