This sends a big jolt of adrenaline through the body, causing the blood pressure to suddenly increase and the heart to race. One of the most obvious indicators of sleep apnea is extremely loud, heavy snoring, often interrupted by gasps and long pauses in breathing. People with sleep apnea often feel very sleepy during the day and need frequent naps. For many sleep apnea patients, their spouses are the first ones to suspect that something is wrong, usually because of the patient's heavy snoring and apparent struggle to breathe. Coworkers or friends may notice that the individual falls asleep during the day at inappropriate times.
Several tests are available for evaluating a person for sleep apnea.
Multiple Sleep Latency Test . Measures the speed of falling asleep. People without sleep problems usually take 10 to 20 minutes to fall asleep. Individuals who fall asleep in less than 5 minutes are likely to require treatment for sleep disorders. This test shows the quality and deepness of sleep, as well as the frequency of wake ups.