Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
How long someone can live with untreated sleep apnea depends on the severity of the sleep apnea and how well it is managed with treatment. Some people with mild sleep apnea may only experience minor health problems if they do not receive treatment.
However, people with more severe sleep apnea may experience more serious health problems if they do not receive treatment. Treatment for sleep apnea usually involves using a CPAP machine or surgery to correct the underlying cause of the sleep apnea.