Consequences of untreated sleep apnea include persistent nocturnal or daytime symptoms as well as long term health effects. These health effects include effects on the heart, the brain, the cardiovascular system, and ones metabolism. The Consequences of untreated sleep apnea include:
- Ten times more likely to be in automobile accidents
- Eight times more likely to have a heart attack
- More likely to develop hypertension and have more difficulty controlling elevated blood pressure
- More likely to develop irregular heart beats such as atrial fibrillation
- More likely to have heart failure
- Ten times more likely to have a stroke
- More likely to develop diabetes and insulin resistance
- More likely to gain weight
- More likely to have attention deficit disorder
- More likely to have depression
- More likely to awaken to use the bathroom during the night