Marked improvement was seen with increased energy and lessened fatigue, lower blood pressure, and a more positive outlook as a result of this treatment. People who snore heavily and have pauses in breathing may be at risk for heart disease. Central apnea may cause high blood pressure, surges of adreniline, and irregular heart beats. The NASA Ames Center and the U.S. Department of Transportation warn of the dangers of fatigue in the transportation industry, including travel on the highway, in the air, and by sea. The worst one-third of people with untreated sleep apnea has an increased auto crash rate and consequent fatalities.
Poor sleep caused by sleep apnea is a major public health problem.
Recent studies show that among employed people 30 to 60 years old, at least 2 percent of the women and 4 percent of the men may have severe sleep apnea syndrome using very conservative criteria. The percentages rise in older persons. People with sleep apnea syndrome have a higher risk of death than the normal population. The price they pay includes a potentially crippling deterioration in daily functioning, an increased risk of high blood pressure and stroke, depression, and death either in accidents or in their sleep. There are terrible costs for the family of the person with sleep apnea syndrome, who may experience irritability, mood changes, lowered sexual drive and capacity, and a reduction of intellectual ability.