Sleep Apnea Increases Risk of Death

Terry Young, PhD found, in an 18 year long study at the University of Wisconsin, that people with severe sleep apnea had a 3.2 fold increase in risk of death from any cause comared with people whose sleep breathing was normal. Another study found that sleep apnea also increases the risk for cardiovascular disease.

CPAP may reduce the risk of death in people with severe sleep apnea. Oral appliance therapy was not included in the study.

The message is clear, however: first, dentists and physicians must be more aware of the possibility of sleep apnea in their patients, and, second, you must take responsibility for your own health as well. If you have been told that you snore heavily, stop breathing at times during sleep, have high blood pressure and a shirt neck size of 17 inches or more for men, 16 inches or more for women - it is imperative that you tell your physician or dentist and ask to be referred for a sleep test.

Dr. Barsh