how serious is sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that can have significant health consequences if left untreated. It is categorized by severity using the Apnea- Hypopnea Index (AHI), which measures the number of apnea and hypopnea events per hour of sleep: mild (5-14 events), moderate (15-29 events), and severe (30 or more events) in adults. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, arrhythmias, and increased risk of sudden death. It is also associated with type 2 diabetes, obesity, mental health issues like depression and anxiety, daytime fatigue that can cause accidents, and other chronic conditions. Proper diagnosis and treatment are crucial to reducing these risks and improving quality of life.