Sleep Apnea (NHLBI / NIH)

Tier 1: Established: peer-reviewed research or government health authority
Publisher: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health · Published: August 6, 2026 · Accessed: August 6, 2026

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Claims this source supports

• Sleep apnea is a common condition in which breathing stops and restarts many times during sleep, preventing the body from getting enough oxygen.
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked during sleep; factors such as obesity, large tonsils, or changes in hormone levels can narrow the airway and raise risk.
• If someone reports that you snore or gasp for air during sleep, or you experience symptoms of poor sleep quality such as excessive daytime sleepiness, talk to your healthcare provider.
• Untreated sleep apnea can cause problems with concentrating, remembering things, and making decisions, and increases risk of stroke, heart attack, and other serious problems.