Some researchers believe that sleep apnea is the greatest risk factor car accidents. Outlook for People with Sleep Apnea Higher carbon dioxide and lower oxygen levels that occur at night from sleep apnea can trigger a cascade of physical and chemical events that may increase the risk for a number of diseases such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, heart failure, diabetes, and kidney failure. Many studies have reported an association between these serious medical conditions and sleep apnea, but evidence of a causal relationship is still weak. A 1998 study, for example, found that heart attack patients with obstructive sleep apnea had no higher mortality rate than those without the sleep disorder. Although obesity is often a risk factor and possibly a cause of sleep apnea, the opposite may also be true.
Research indicates that animals deprived of REM sleep tend to eat more.
People with apnea may also become too tired to exercise and so put on weight. High Blood Pressure and Heart Failure. Researchers are finding, however, that blood pressure fluctuates widely and suddenly in response to episodes of apnea and hypopnea, which may eventually lead to permanent hypertension. A 1999 study indicated that sleep apnea is associated with poorer survival in patients with congestive heart failure, which is often a consequence of high blood pressure. Apnea, itself, may affect breathing functions that can be particularly harmful for patients with heart failure.