Although sleep apnea doesn’t necessarily “kill” you, it can drastically raise your chances of suffering from a heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease (all of which are, sadly, life-threatening).
When you look at it that way, you could say that having untreated sleep apnea is a dangerous and deadly scenario to live with. Having a sleeping disorder isn’t something that you want to ignore; the condition goes much deeper than simply feeling tired or getting headaches in the morning.
Sleep apnea also raises your risk of daytime fatigue. So, if you’re prone to feeling tired and falling asleep, something as simple as driving a vehicle could prove to be deadly. Driving while tired is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If you’ve noticed that your blood pressure is higher than it used to be, or that you’re having difficulty concentrating in the daytime, it’s worth it to get screened for sleep apnea. Being proactive about your quality of sleep could help you live a healthier lifestyle and as such, increase your life expectancy.